Large-scale student protests have broken out in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), driven primarily by young university students opposing recent education reforms and administrative decisions. The demonstrations, led largely by Gen Z students at the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (UAJK), began over grievances related to fee hikes, mismanagement of examinations, and alleged irregularities in academic results. The unrest intensified after students claimed that the university delayed examination results for nearly six months and then released them with widespread errors including unusually low marks and, in some cases, passing grades issued for exams that some students did not even appear for. To add to their frustration, the university introduced a re-checking fee of Rs 1,500 per subject, which many students described as exploitative and unjust.

Tensions escalated further when a man allegedly opened fire on protesting students while police personnel were present at the scene. Although no casualties were immediately confirmed, the shooter reportedly fled without being apprehended, sparking anger across the student body and local community.

The ongoing protests have gained momentum and broader support. The Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, a regional coalition group known for civic mobilization, has voiced solidarity with the students, signalling a possible expansion of the movement beyond university campuses. Observers warn that if the situation is not addressed promptly, this youth-driven agitation could spread to other areas facing similar frustrations over rising education costs and limited opportunities. This episode has also brought renewed focus to long-standing challenges in Pakistan’s education sector, including affordability, transparency, and the absence of effective student representation. Analysts note that the demonstrations reflect a wider generational shift, with young people increasingly willing to confront state institutions over issues that directly affect their futures.

With pressure mounting, key questions remain: Will the administration agree to revise the fee structure and review the disputed exam results? Will the government investigate the firing incident? And could this student movement evolve into a broader demand for political and administrative reforms in the region? For now, the streets of Muzaffarabad continue to echo with chants of dissent signaling that a new, more assertive generation is no longer willing to remain silent.