News Desk
SRINAGAR, India — A recent report in the Kashmir state legislature reveals a stark contrast between two regions of Kashmir: one thriving under India’s leadership, the other languishing under Pakistan’s neglect. Since 2019, India has injected a staggering $1.26 billion (Rs 10,516 crore) in investments into its Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory, fueling transformative projects in infrastructure and human resource development. It’s a masterstroke of policy by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with tangible results that are changing lives.
This massive investment surge reflects India’s unwavering commitment to reviving its northern frontier, drawing a sharp line between the prosperity of Indian-administered Kashmir and the stagnation of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Despite PoK’s rich resources and potential, it remains mired in underdevelopment, offering little opportunity for its citizens.
Figures shared in the state legislature show that Jammu and Kashmir has seen a steady stream of investments in critical sectors since the revocation of Article 370 in 2019. This surge has translated into remarkable growth in tourism, employment, infrastructure, and even aviation. For instance, in 2024-25 alone, Kashmir received an additional $170.6 million (Rs 1,423.17 crore) in investment, a huge leap from the $19.7 million (Rs 164.37 crore) invested in 2019-20.
The contrast with PoK couldn’t be clearer. While India is proactively investing in infrastructure projects—building roads, schools, and creating employment opportunities—PoK continues to be held back by stagnation. Pakistan’s claims of granting autonomy to PoK are hollow; instead, the region’s resources—such as hydropower and timber—are siphoned off to benefit Pakistan’s core provinces, leaving the people of PoK to suffer in underdevelopment. Pakistan’s focus seems less on uplifting PoK’s citizens and more on stoking unrest in Kashmir.
India’s Kashmir, by comparison, is booming. Tourism in the region is at an all-time high, with 10.8 million visitors flocking to the valley in 2024, the highest number in two decades. Investments in tourism infrastructure, totaling $168 million (Rs 1,400 crore), have helped draw global visitors. Agriculture is experiencing a revolution too, with a $600 million (Rs 5,000 crore) overhaul, which includes innovative projects such as lavender farming in Bhaderwah. The industrial sector is seeing similar growth, with a $3.4 billion (Rs 28,400 crore) industrial scheme leading to the creation of nearly 2,000 new units and providing jobs to over 63,000 people.
Key infrastructure projects, such as all-weather roads and five tunnels to be completed by the end of 2025, are further cementing the region’s development. In addition, a $1.2 billion metro project is on the horizon.
Meanwhile, PoK remains trapped in stagnation. Despite its wealth in natural resources, the people of PoK see few benefits. The region’s political and economic underdevelopment is stark, with local leaders lacking power and being forced to pledge loyalty to Islamabad for any semblance of autonomy. Unemployment and exploitation run rampant among the youth, while dissent is suffocated by a heavy military presence. Pakistan’s focus on fueling unrest in Kashmir only exacerbates the misery of PoK’s citizens.
This divide has never been more pronounced. In Srinagar’s thriving IT hubs, young coders dream of a future akin to Silicon Valley, while PoK’s youth face limited opportunities and little hope for the future. India’s investment in growth stands in direct contrast to Pakistan’s lack of meaningful progress in PoK, a region rich in potential but stunted in development.
India is building a prosperous future for Jammu and Kashmir, with investments creating jobs, modernizing infrastructure, and improving the quality of life. PoK, however, remains stuck in the past, as Pakistan’s priorities continue to focus on instability rather than the welfare of its people. India’s vision for Kashmir is one of opportunity, growth, and peace, while Pakistan’s approach to PoK remains rooted in neglect and exploitation.
As 2025 unfolds, India’s progress is undeniable, racing ahead while leaving Pakistan’s PoK far behind—in both development and in offering a brighter future to its people.
