PoK is witnessing its own 'Nepal moment': Why Pakistan’s Gen Z is turning against Islamabad’s control

File photo of violent protests in PoK over rising costs of food, fuel and essential utilities amid severe economic crisis in Pakistan. (Reuters)

A fresh wave of dissent is rising in Gilgit Baltistan and across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as young men and women, many of them from the Gen Z generation, are directly challenging the Pakistani state’s control over their land and lives. Inspired by the dramatic “Nepal moment” uprising, these youth are taking to social media and the streets, calling out Pakistan’s decades of occupation, demographic manipulation, and resource theft. Their revolt exposes the hypocrisy of a country that portrays itself as a victim while using terror and repression to maintain its dominance.

A 'Nepal moment' in PoK

Reports say youth in PoK are increasingly identifying with the kind of generational uprising seen recently in Nepal. They describe this change as a “Nepal moment” for Pakistan’s occupied territories, according to News18. One activist in PoK said, “We will not accept being treated like second-class citizens any longer.”

Pakistan has responded by tightening its grip, intensifying surveillance, harassing dissenters, and blocking democratic representation. A local youth leader told News18 that “our pain, our land, and our future are being handed to Islamabad’s cronies while we watch.”

The root causes of rebellion

For years, Pakistan has deprived the people of PoK of political rights, denied them ownership of their own land, and treated the region as a military buffer rather than a home. The abuse of the Indus Waters Treaty and Pakistan’s diversion of water from Indian-administered Jammu and Kashmir have become symbols of its wider exploitation. The region is also plagued by unemployment, poor education, and economic neglect, creating fertile ground for rebellion.

Young people in PoK are increasingly aware of Pakistan’s double-speak. It protests India’s policies as “water weaponisation” even as it enforces an exploitative occupation at home. A student organiser told News18, “They claim we have no voice. So we shout louder.”

Gen Z tactics: digital defiance and global solidarity

Unlike previous generations, these young activists are using digital platforms as their main weapon. Through TikTok, Instagram, and encrypted chats, they share stories of land grabs, disappearances, and environmental destruction. Their online campaigns echo Nepal-style defiance with hashtags such as #ExposePoK, #GenZStandUp, and #NepalMoment. These online networks allow them to bypass Pakistan’s local restrictions and reach sympathetic audiences abroad.

“What happened in Nepal shows our opportunity. We can use culture, social media, and global awareness to create pressure,” one organiser told News18.

Pakistan’s failing narrative

While Islamabad continues to paint itself as a victim of India’s policies, those living in PoK see the truth of a state that has become an occupier. Pakistan’s propaganda about “protecting” Kashmir loses credibility when the youth of that very land speak of repression and theft.

Decades of military control, demographic manipulation, and resource exploitation are finally being exposed. The Gen Z-led movement in PoK is not only a challenge to Pakistan’s rule over the region but also a rejection of its national narrative built on grievance and deceit.

Why this matters

If the youth uprising in PoK gathers momentum, it could mirror Nepal’s political shake-up and push Pakistan into an internal crisis. Islamabad’s long-standing occupation strategy may crumble as a younger, connected generation demands rights instead of rhetoric. The world is watching to see if Pakistan can continue silencing the voices of its occupied youth without igniting a wider collapse of its control.