Detailed answer
Use a labeled navigation area, actual destination links, and a clear indication of the current page.
Add descriptive previous and next links when those pages exist. Every destination should work when opened directly. Avoid a disabled-looking anchor with href=# that still behaves as a live link.
Example
<nav aria-label="Discussion pages"><a href="?page=1">1</a><span aria-current="page">2</span><a href="?page=3">3</a><a href="?page=3">Next page</a></nav>
Understanding the behavior
Pagination should offer real links with destinations that work when opened directly. Give the region a useful name and identify the current page. Number labels need enough context for someone navigating only through links.
Practical implementation notes
Visit a later page directly and confirm the content changes, the canonical describes that page and the previous/next links are correct. Avoid making every page number return the same first page.
How to check it
Open its real URL directly, then use previous and next navigation.
Expected result
The requested page loads independently and its current state is identified.
Watch out: A visual disabled style does not remove anchor behavior.
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