Understanding Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK): 15 Key Facts and Historical Background

POK is a disputed region claimed by India, occupied by Pakistan since 1947. Learn key facts, history, and current realities in this article.

Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) refers to the region of Jammu and Kashmir that has remained under Pakistan’s control since the armed conflict in 1947. It comprises two major administrative regions: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). While Pakistan claims these areas as semi-autonomous, India maintains that the entire region is an integral part of its sovereign territory.

With a combined population of approximately 5.2 million (as of 2020), POK has been a central point of tension between India and Pakistan for decades. In this article, we explore 15 important facts about POK’s geography, governance, demographics, and its role in the India-Pakistan dispute.

🔍 What is Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK)?

POK refers to the parts of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that came under Pakistani control following the invasion by tribal militias backed by Pakistan in October 1947. This occurred shortly after the partition of British India, which led to the creation of India and Pakistan.

Following the invasion, the then-Maharaja of Jammu and Kashmir, Hari Singh, signed the Instrument of Accession, officially joining India. Indian forces were subsequently deployed, leading to the first Indo-Pak war and eventually the establishment of the Line of Control (LoC).

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🗺️ Key Facts About POK

1. Administrative Division

Pakistan has split POK into two main regions:

• Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) – often referred to as "Azad Kashmir"
• Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) – formerly known as the Northern Areas

2. Governance Structure

POK has its own President and Prime Minister, but real political control rests with the federal government in Islamabad. The region also has a legislative assembly, but its decisions are subject to Pakistan's federal oversight.

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3. Autonomy in Name Only

Despite being labelled "Azad" (meaning free), the governance of AJK is tightly regulated by Pakistan through the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.

4. Strategic Location

The region shares borders with multiple areas:

• Pakistan’s Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces
• Afghanistan's Wakhan Corridor
• China’s Xinjiang province
• Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir

5. Territorial Area

If we exclude Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Kashmir covers an area of about 13,300 square kilometers—roughly one-third the size of Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

6. Population Distribution

As of 2020, the population across both regions is estimated at 5.2 million, with Muzaffarabad serving as the capital of Azad Kashmir.

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7. Districts in AJK

There are 10 districts in AJK, including Mirpur, Kotli, Muzaffarabad, Bhimber, Bagh, Neelam, Rawalakot, and Sudhanoti.

8. Gilgit-Baltistan

Gilgit-Baltistan, which includes areas like Hunza, Skardu, and Gilgit, was part of the princely state but has been administered separately by Pakistan. It remains a disputed territory under international law.

9. Territorial Cession to China

In 1963, Pakistan ceded a portion of Gilgit-Baltistan (Shaksgam Valley, also known as the Trans-Karakoram Tract) to China through a bilateral agreement—an action India considers illegal.

🌾 Economy and Livelihood

10. Agriculture as the Mainstay

Most residents rely on agriculture, livestock, and forestry for their livelihoods. Major crops include maize, wheat, and barley.

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11. Natural Resources and Industries

POK has small reserves of coal, bauxite, and chalk. Locally made textiles, woodcrafts, and carpets contribute modestly to the economy.

12. Horticulture and Medicinal Products

The region is rich in medicinal herbs, and produces apples, cherries, walnuts, and honey. These are often exported to mainland Pakistan.

🎓 Education and Culture

13. Literacy and Educational Access

Despite limited infrastructure, the literacy rate in POK stands at about 72%, with major gaps in higher education and technical training.

14. Languages Spoken

The major languages spoken include Urdu, Pashto, Kashmiri, and Punjabi, reflecting the diverse ethnic background of the region.

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15. Judicial Institutions

POK has its own High Court and Supreme Court, but these bodies lack independence due to significant federal oversight from Islamabad.

⚔️ Historical Context: The Dispute Over Kashmir

The roots of the India-Pakistan conflict over Kashmir lie in 1947, when tribal militias from Pakistan invaded Jammu and Kashmir, prompting its ruler to accede to India. India maintains that the Instrument of Accession makes the entire state, including POK, an inseparable part of its territory.

Pakistan’s Claim

Pakistan argues its claim over Kashmir based on the Lahore Resolution (1940) and later declarations, asserting that Muslim-majority regions should belong to Pakistan. However, India has never accepted these claims.

📍 Division After 1947 War

The first Indo-Pak war led to the division of Jammu and Kashmir:

• The region that stayed with India forms today’s Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
• The part under Pakistan’s control is what we now call Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).

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🌐 Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir: Present-Day Realities

Azad Kashmir

Economy primarily based on agriculture and remittances from overseas workers (mainly in the Gulf and Europe).

Several residents also serve in the Pakistani military.

Gilgit-Baltistan

• Historically leased to the British during colonial rule.
• Currently lacks constitutional status within Pakistan.
• Strategic importance has increased due to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

📉 Developmental Challenges in POK

Despite being under Pakistani control for over seven decades, POK has lagged significantly in infrastructure, healthcare, and job creation. Critics argue that this neglect is intentional, with accusations that youth from the region are often radicalized and used to destabilize Indian-administered Kashmir.

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🧭 Conclusion

Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir remains at the heart of one of the most enduring geopolitical disputes in South Asia. While Pakistan continues to administer the region, India firmly maintains its claim over the entire territory of the erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir. As calls grow for the reintegration of POK into India following the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, the region’s future remains uncertain—entwined in both historic legacies and modern geopolitics.