News Desk: The debate over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has resurfaced with renewed intensity, as claims emerge that sections of the region’s population are increasingly inclined towards reunification with India amid worsening economic conditions.
‘People Want to Return’: Ilyasi
Chief Imam of the All India Imam Organisation, Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, on Friday said that many residents in PoK are expressing a desire for “ghar wapsi” (return to India).
🗣️ All India Imam Organisation chief Umer Ahmed Ilyasi in Srinagar: “PoK is an integral part of India and will soon be part of the country. It’s not just me saying this; people there are saying it.”pic.twitter.com/uLAVZRKfKc
— Megh Updates 🚨™ (@MeghUpdates) April 3, 2026
He asserted that PoK remains an integral part of India and voiced hope that the region would eventually reunite with the country. According to him, growing economic hardship in PoK stands in stark contrast to the development witnessed on the Indian side of Jammu and Kashmir.
‘A New Kashmir After Article 370’
Highlighting changes post-2019, Ilyasi praised the government’s move to revoke Article 370, calling it a turning point for the region.
He said Jammu and Kashmir has seen a shift towards stability and growth, with improved law and order and a surge in tourism. “There was a time when youth were drawn towards violence; today, they are focusing on education and opportunities,” he noted.
Article 370: A Brief Timeline
- 1947 – Jammu and Kashmir acceded to India after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession amid external aggression.
- 1949 – Article 370 was incorporated into the Constitution, granting special status to the state.
- 1954 – A Presidential Order introduced Article 35A, giving special rights to permanent residents.
- 2019 – The Government of India revoked Article 370, bringing Jammu and Kashmir fully under the Indian Constitution.
Strategic and Political Implications
The remarks come at a time of heightened geopolitical sensitivities in the region. Analysts say such statements reflect a broader narrative battle over Kashmir, even as ground realities remain complex.
With fresh voices calling for “ghar wapsi” from PoK and continued political focus on Kashmir’s future, the issue remains central to India’s strategic, political, and diplomatic discourse.
