Natural consequence of Pak's oppressive approach, must be held accountable for human rights violations: MEA slams Pak over death of 9 in Pok protests
The Ministry of External Affairs on Friday slammed Pakistan over its failed attempts to blame India for the recent unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. As many as nine people died in the protest, including three policemen.
The ministry called out Pakistan and said the neighbouring nation must be held responsible for its human rights violations. Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen reports on protests in several areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including brutalities by Pakistani forces on innocent civilians."
Calling the protest a natural consequence of Pakistan's "oppressive approach" and systemic plunder, the MEA spokesperson stressed the neighbouring nation must be held accountable for violating human rights in the affected regions.
"We believe that it is a natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppressive approach and systemic plundering of resources from these territories, which remain under its forcible and illegal occupation. Pakistan must be held accountable for its horrific human rights violations," Jaiswal added.
Several areas in PoK witnessed widespread protests recently, with people demanding basic rights, justice and an end to what they described as systemic oppression. The protest announced by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) turned violent, and nine people, including three policemen, were killed in the attack. Over 150 police personnel and close to 50 civilians suffered injuries in the attack.
Pakistan-appointed Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwar-ul-Haq of PoK attempted to divert attention from people’s needs by naming India. “We do not want violence in Azad Kashmir, nor do we want our enemy to benefit from it,” he said without naming India.
