Violent Unrest Over Economic Strife Erupts in Pakistan's Kashmir Region

Vast protests have erupted in the Pakistan-controlled part of Kashmir due to anger over high electricity bills and flour prices. The region has suffered economically due to its status as a conflict zone. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for an emergency meeting in Islamabad in an attempt to calm the unrest. Internet service has been suspended in many areas, and schools in the regional capital, Muzaffarabad, have been closed. This uprising is unique as it brings together people from different backgrounds demanding basic necessities. The Kashmir region, claimed by both Pakistan and India, has been a site of three wars between the two countries. The current situation poses a challenge for the Pakistani military and civilian leadership in Islamabad. Pakistan considers Kashmir a disputed territory and advocates for a U.N.-mandated referendum for Kashmiris to choose between Pakistan and India.