POK Full Form: What does POK stand for? 

Do you know what is the POK Full Form? The full form of POK is Pak-Occupied Kashmir. The political and territorial dispute between India and Pakistan over the region of Jammu and Kashmir has been a contentious issue since the partition of India in 1947.

One of the terms that frequently comes up in discussions surrounding this issue is POK, which stands for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. This article will delve into the full form of POK, its historical background, legal status, and the differences between it and AJK. We will also explore India’s stance on POK and the international community’s response to it.

What is the POK Full Form?

POK Full Form – Pak-Occupied Kashmir

1. Introduction to POK and its Significance

What is POK?

POK stands for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a portion of the once princely state of Jammu and Kashmir that is today governed by Pakistan. It is also known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in Pakistan. The area covers approximately one-third of the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Historical Background of POK

Partition of India in 1947

After India’s independence from British rule, the subcontinent was divided into two countries – India and Pakistan. The princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, which had a Muslim majority but a Hindu ruler, was given the option to either join India or Pakistan. The ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, chose to remain independent.

The Role of the British Empire in the Conflict

The British Empire played a significant role in creating the Kashmir issue by dividing India along religious lines. In 1947, they announced that the princely states would be given the constitutional right to choose their own destiny, but they left the decision in the ruler’s hands, leading to anarchy in the region.

First War between India and Pakistan over Kashmir

In October 1947, tribal militias backed by Pakistan invaded Kashmir to overthrow the Hindu ruler. The Maharaja requested help from India, leading to the first war between India and Pakistan. The war ended in 1948 with a ceasefire and a UN-sponsored resolution calling for a referendum to let the people of Jammu and Kashmir decide their future.

3. Understanding POK Full Form

What does POK stand for?

POK stands for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, which refers to the territories that Pakistan currently administers.

How is POK Different from AJK?

While Pakistan refers to the region as Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), India and many other countries refer to it as POK. AJK is a self-governing administrative unit under Pakistan’s control, while POK includes the territory that is not under the control of the Indian administration.

4. Legal Status of POK

The Indian Perspective on POK

India considers POK to be part of its sovereign territory, and its claim over the region is based on the Instrument of Accession signed by the Maharaja of Kashmir in 1947. India also maintains that any unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the region is illegal.

The Pakistani Perspective on POK

Pakistan sees the POK as an autonomous region with its own government and legislature. It argues that the people of the POK should have the right to self-determination, as promised by the UN resolution 1948.

The International Perspective on POK

The international community recognizes the dispute over Kashmir and has called for a peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue between India and Pakistan. The UN resolution 1948 proposed a plebiscite to determine the region’s future, which has not yet been held. The dispute remains unresolved, and tension between the two nations escalates.

5. Differences between POK and AJK

When discussing POK, it’s important to understand the differences between POK and AJK (Azad Jammu and Kashmir). Geographically, POK consists of the northern and western regions of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, while AJK comprises the southern and eastern parts of the same state.

Geographical Difference

POK is bordered by the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir to the east, Pakistan’s Punjab Province to the south, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province to the west, and Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor to the north. In contrast, AJK is bordered by Pakistan’s Punjab Province to the south, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province to the west, and the Indian-administered state of Jammu and Kashmir to the east.

Political Differences

Along with the geographical differences, POK and AJK have different political systems. POK is under the direct control of Pakistan, while AJK has a locally elected government with limited autonomy. Both regions have their own respective constitutions, but Pakistan holds a greater degree of control over the POK than the AJK government has over its region.

6. India’s Stand on POK

India has consistently maintained that PoK is an integral part of its territory and has repeatedly asked Pakistan to vacate the territory. However, there has been some change in India’s stand on PoK in the last few years.

The Indian Government’s Position on POK

The Indian government has repeatedly stated that POK is an integral part of India and has accused Pakistan of illegally occupying the region. In recent years, India has also highlighted the issue of human rights violations in POK and has called for greater international attention on the matter.

The Indian Military’s Position on POK

Some officers in India’s military have advocated a military solution to the issue of POK. Nonetheless, the Indian administration has insisted that any settlement of the Kashmir issue must be reached via nonviolent methods.

7. International Community’s Response to POK

The international community has long been involved in efforts to resolve the Kashmir conflict, including the issue of the POK. Here are some of the key players and their positions on POK.

UN Resolutions on Kashmir

Several resolutions approved by the United Nations regarding the Kashmir issue have called for a plebiscite to decide the future of Kashmir. India has rejected the concept of a plebiscite, while Pakistan has supported the UN position on Kashmir.

The United States and POK

The United States has always backed India’s stance on Kashmir while acknowledging that it is a part of India. Nonetheless, in recent years, the US has also voiced worry over the state of POK’s human rights, urging Pakistan to uphold the rights of local Kashmiris.

FAQs – What is the POK Full Form?

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