Brussels [Belgium], February 5 (ANI): Every year on February 5 Pakistan marks what it calls Kashmir Solidarity Day, claiming to stand for Kashmiri rights. The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP), however, says the observance is state-sponsored propaganda meant to distract from Pakistan’s human rights record in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB).
In a video statement, Jamil Maqsood, president of the UKPNP Foreign Affairs Committee, said Pakistan’s actions expose the “mockery of the word solidarity.” He accused Islamabad of occupying, marginalising and oppressing people in PoJK and PoGB while simultaneously projecting itself as a defender of Kashmiris.
Maqsood urged Pakistan to withdraw from both regions and restore the political, social, economic, constitutional, democratic and human rights of populations living under occupation since 1947 and 1949, respectively. He said widespread protests are under way in both territories against Pakistan’s policies, including opposition to what he described as the proposed bifurcation of the areas Islamabad controls.
He warned the proposed 28th amendment would worsen human rights conditions and appealed to the international community to use diplomatic influence to stop what he called repression and the demonising of political and social activists under laws such as the PICA Act. Maqsood urged residents of both regions to resist occupation and press for a united Jammu and Kashmir. (ANI)
(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)
