New Delhi, Aug. 18 -- Amid reports of shortages of essential commodities and continued restrictions by the Pakistani government in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday said that ordinary people in the region need "sympathy and solidarity" from the international community as people continue to struggle for their rights and access to essential services.

Responding to questions about protests in PoJK and reports of disruption in supplies, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a biweekly media briefing, said that restrictions on essential commodities and everyday necessities had further worsened the situation, as several people had lost their lives and many others had been injured in the ...