Following the horrific massacre of Hindus in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India has launched a series of bold retaliatory actions that have left Pakistan visibly shaken. Already crippled by a deep economic crisis, Pakistan now finds itself facing the heat of India’s decisive triple economic strike, delivered all at once on Saturday. With rising fears of potential military confrontation, the atmosphere in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has grown tense, especially in areas near the Line of Control (LoC).
Pakistan Begins Emergency Rationing in PoK
According to a report by The Dawn, the government in PoK has ordered the stockpiling of wheat flour in LoC-adjacent regions, aiming to secure supplies that could last for at least two months. Traditionally, these high-altitude areas remain cut off due to heavy snowfall from December to May, and only minimal reserves were maintained—typically for about 15 days. But in view of escalating tensions with India, the Pakistani administration has overhauled its strategy.
Two-Month Stockpile Underway
PoK’s Food Minister Chaudhry Akbar Ibrahim stated that, following orders from Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, special efforts are underway to ensure a two-month flour stock in LoC-bordering regions. He added that food warehouses located in vulnerable areas—prone to shelling or military activity—are being relocated to safer zones to prevent disruption of essential supplies to civilians.
The government has also planned contingencies to ensure that food reaches remote villages during periods of heavy snowfall or possible Indian strikes. Abdul Hameed Kiyani, Director of the Food Department in PoK, confirmed that all warehouses near the LoC already have a basic reserve in place. However, they are now expanding storage capacity to meet extended needs. On Saturday, about 250 tons of flour were dispatched from a mill near Muzaffarabad to nearby areas.
Fear of War Looms Large
Despite alternating between diplomatic appeals and veiled threats—including nuclear rhetoric—Pakistan’s recent actions reveal growing anxiety over the possibility of an Indian offensive. Its hurried logistical moves in PoK, particularly food stockpiling and relocation of warehouses, are clear indicators of a government preparing for worst-case scenarios.
India’s forceful response to the Pahalgam attack appears to have fundamentally altered the strategic equation in the region. While public messaging from Pakistan tries to downplay the crisis, its actions on the ground suggest a state bracing for the fallout of possible escalation.
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