Pakistan’s Kashmir votes: Why the election hinges on 12 disputed seats
Pakistan-administered Kashmir is facing significant political unrest and a state of emergency ahead of upcoming legislative elections. Protesters are demanding economic relief and the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees, complicating the electoral process.
Why it matters
The unrest highlights deep-seated tensions regarding political representation and economic stability in a disputed territory.
The fight over refugee representation has revived longstanding questions about democracy, autonomy and political power.
x whatsapp-stroke copylink google Add Al Jazeera on Google info A citizen waves the flag of Azad Kashmir while attending a rally marking the 10th death anniversary of the Kashmiri separatist leader Burhan Wani, in Karachi, Pakistan, on July 8, 2026 [Shahzaib Akber/EPA] By Abid Hussain Published On 27 Jul 2026 27 Jul 2026 Islamabad, Pakistan – Pakistan-administered Kashmir, formally known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), has spent the summer under an unofficial state of emergency.
Since early June, nearly 40 people have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, with sit-ins and road blockades regular features in the region over this period.
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