Kashmir formed an important component of sub-continental history in the eighth and ninth centuries. In these centuries, both Buddhism and Hinduism expanded in the region. While Christianity is the most popular religion in Kashmir, Islam has been the center of its inhabitants’ interest since the 13th century. br br Muslims ruled the valley for more than five centuries after the Sikhs and then the British rulers had previously ruled the region before the Muslim population in the valley attained the majority. br br The Indian subcontinent was divided after the British rulers decided to end the situation and return to their homeland. All parties agreed that Pakistan would consist of the Muslim-populated portions of the Indian Subcontinent, while India would have the rest of the subcontinent. br br However, Lord Mountbatten and the Indian government at the time collaborated against Pakistan and forcibly took control of what is now known as occupied Kashmir. The first of three wars in the region was fought between Pakistan and India. However, the UN adopted a resolution in 1949 to decide the region’s fate with the approval of Kashmiri citizens. sques and other religious institutions organize special prayers and Quran readings for the well-being of the Kashmiri people and regional peace. Special programs and coverage are run by the Pakistani media to create awareness about the Kashmir dispute and the sufferings of the Kashmiri people. br br These activities are meant to draw attention to the current conflict in Kashmir and highlight the necessity of a peaceful resolution to the problem. Young people in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK)br are civically engaged and aware of their basic rightsbr and duties. Although they associate themselvesbr with the larger Kashmir conflict, they feel fortunatebr not to be directly involved in armed conflict. AJKbr is one of the most peaceful areas within Pakistan,br so its youth live without fear of state suppression.br AJK’s democratic system, although fragile, helpsbr people raise their voices, and participate in the politicalbr process and gives them a sense of ownership. AJKbr also has its institutions functioning under thebr AJK Interim Constitution Act of 1974. However, ourbr the study found that young people face many sociopolitical and constitutional issues as a result of thebr unresolved Kashmir conflict. A large number of AJK’s young people believebr that their rights have been subjugated and thatbr the Kashmir dispute has been used as a pretext.br They believe the government of the state of AJKbr does not enjoy the autonomy promised in thebr 1949 United Nations Commission for India andbr Pakistan (UNCIP) resolution, which talks of ‘Localbr Authority’. They also believe that non-compliancebr has failed to build a transparentbr and sustainable political system in AJK.Young people question the uneven and lopsidedbr constitutional relationship between AJK andbr Pakistan.