Context: Indian government has decided to begin weather forecasts for regions under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) — Gilgit-Baltistan, Muzaffarabad and Mirpur.
After DD and AIR started airing weather forecasts from PoK regions, In return Radio Pakistan also featured updates from Srinagar, Pulwama and Ladakh.
What’s the issue?
The ‘weather war’ — a diplomatic move by India — started after Pakistan’s Supreme Court issued notices to the advocate general of Gilgit-Baltistan in late April, directing them to amend the Gilgit-Baltistan Order-2018 and establish a caretaker government there.
About PoK:
Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) is that part of the Jammu and Kashmir (India) which was invaded by Pakistan in 1947. The region is referred by the United Nations and other international organizations, as ‘Pakistani-controlled Kashmir’ (or Pakistan Administered Kashmir) and it was re-named as ‘Pakistan occupied Jammu-Kashmir’ by the Modi government.
PoK divided into two parts:
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)
Gilgit-Baltistan (referred to as the ‘Northern Areas’ till August 2009).
What is the root of the fight between India and Pakistan?
The fact that PoK is an integral part of India has been our consistent policy ever since 1947.
In 1947, Pakistan’s Pashtoon tribals attacked Jammu and Kashmir.
So to tackle this critical situation the Ruler of that time Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir sought military assistance from the Indian government and the then Indian Governor General Mountbatten signed an agreement on 26 October 1947 in which three subjects Defense, Foreign Affairs and Communications were handed over to India.
Except these subjects Jammu and Kashmir was free to all its decisions.
On the basis of this accession of treaty, the Government of India claims that India has the full right to interfere in the matters related to Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan on the other hand doesn’t agree with India.
Why is PoK important?
Because of its location, PoK is of immense strategic importance. It shares borders with several countries – the Punjab and North-West Frontier Province provinces (now called Khyber-Pakhthunkhwa) in Pakistan to the west, the Wakhan Corridor of Afghanistan in the north-west, Xinjiang province of the People’s Republic of China to the north and India’s Jammu and Kashmir to the east.
Challenges for India in PoK region:
Terrorist infiltration through the region is high.
Pakistan has changed the demography of PoK over a period of time.
It has settled ex- servicemen, Punjabi’s and Pathans so the original colours of PoK has changed.
Gilgit Baltistan region is easy as compared to other.
