Jammu & Kashmir Press Releases

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release IPHRC reiterates its strong concerns on the ongoing human rights violations against innocent Kashmiri Muslims in Indian Occupied Kashmir and urges the United Nations to urgently investigate the situation on ground and to help resolve the longstanding dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Resolutions

The OIC Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission (IPHRC) reiterates its strong concern on the ongoing reign of terror unleashed by the Indian Security Forces against innocent Kashmiri Muslims in the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK). Indian occupation machinery has shamelessly used all kinds of oppressive policies to silence the voice and destroy the will of Kashmiri people through use of torture, arbitrary arrests and unlawful killing of thousands of innocent civilians including women and children, though without any success. Kashmiri Muslims continue to exhibit a strong resolve for their inalienable right to self-determination, a right guaranteed to them by the United Nations. 

Since last year the conflict in IoK has acquired a new dimension. After decades of repression, Kashmiri youth has taken upon itself to lead the freedom struggle and to demand their right to self-determination in a peaceful manner. Unfortunately, their peaceful protests have met the usual oppression involving new methods of torture and violence such as use of pellet guns on innocent and unarmed civilians including women and children that resulted in dozens of killings, more than 250 blinded and thousands sustaining serious injuries. Use of innocent youth (tied on army jeeps) as human shield, use of rape as a method of collective punishment, attacks on ambulances, harassing and arbitrary arrests of Kashmiri leadership, prohibition of Friday prayer congregations, Media and electricity blackouts to disrupt normal life and communication have become the daily routine of Kashmiri Muslims.

In a joint press release in May 2017, UN Special Procedures expressed concern over the media bans and restrictions on freedom of expression in IoK as a continued worrying trend aimed at curbing protests and social unrest in the region. They also called upon Indian authorities to guarantee the freedom of expression and to seek a solution for the social and political conflicts of the region through an open, transparent and democratic dialogue. However, despite strong protests both from the national and international human rights organizations including the United Nations and the OIC, Indian Government continues to let loose its repressive regime on innocent Kashmiris, who remain steadfast in pursuit of their legitimate right to self-determination.

During its recent fact finding visit to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, IPHRC delegation met with the refugees, representatives of political parties and civil society from IOK and took note of the serious and widespread complaints of the gross human rights violations by the Indian forces against innocent Kashmiris. In its detailed visit report to the OIC Council of Foreign Ministers in July 2017, IPHRC expressed deep concern on the reports of continuous violation of the right to life, right to freedom of expression and opinion, right to peaceful protest and assembly and other fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people including denial of their inalienable right to self-determination, guaranteed by International human rights law and promised by the UN Security Council Resolutions. It also expressed serious concern over reports of increase in the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force against unarmed and innocent civilians and human rights activists by the Indian forces with impunity, resulting in torture, extrajudicial killings, rape and mass blinding through use of pellets.

IPHRC calls upon the United Nations in particular the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to urgently dispatch a fact-finding visit to Jammu and Kashmir to independently ascertain and report on the human rights situation on ground. IPHRC also renews its call upon the Government of India to allow all international human rights organizations including IPHRC to visit Jammu and Kashmir for independent review of the human rights situation on ground.

In conclusion and in line with the principled position of the OIC, the Commission stresses the importance of resolving the conflict in a peaceful manner through negotiations and in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. It also urges the OIC countries and the international community of their obligations to help ensure implementation of relevant UN resolutions.

Islamabad 09 September 2017

PR. No. 247/2017

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release Foreign Minister invites UN Secretary General’s attention to Indian designs of bringing demographic changes in IoK, condemns Indian atrocities

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Khawaja Muhammad Asif, in a statement strongly condemned Indian barbaric policies against defenseless Kashmiris. He deplored the recent killings in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IoK), as well as harassment of Hurriyat leadership on false and fabricated grounds. 

He paid a rich tribute to the valiant people of IoK for showing unmatched determination and resilience in peacefully pursuing their noble cause. He underscored that the Indian Government should read the writing on the wall that its repressive policies can never succeed in suppressing the Kashmiris from demanding the right to self determination confirmed to them by UN Security Council resolutions.

While urging the World community and human rights organizations to take notice of the deteriorating human rights situation in IoK, he invited the attention of the UN Secretary General towards Indian nefarious designs of bringing demographic changes in IoK in order to convert the Muslim majority of the area into a minority. In this regard, the Foreign Minister underlined the steps of the Indian Government like efforts to abrogate Article 35-A of Indian constitution, settlement of West Pakistan Refugees, giving land to non-Kashmiri industrialists, and establishment of Sainik colonies. He emphasized that these actions are in complete violation of UN Security Council resolutions, as well as international law and norms, which prohibit bringing material changes to a disputed territory. He noted that the intended demographic changes would undermine the prospects of holding a free and fair plebiscite in IoK required by UNSC resolutions.

Foreign Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to peacefully resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council and will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Islamabad 17 August 2017

PR. No. 497/2016

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release Prime Minister’s Special Envoys on Jammu and Kashmir call for plebiscite in Kashmir on the pattern of East Timor

Today, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed and MNA Dr. Shazra Mansab, in their capacity as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoys on Jammu and Kashmir held a meeting with Ambassador Richard Olson, the US Special Representative on Afghanistan and Pakistan and other senior officials at the US Department of State. Ambassador Jalil Abbas Jilani accompanied the Special Envoys. 

Senator Mushahid Hussain and MNA Dr. Shazra Mansab apprised the US officials that the people of Jammu and Kashmir were exercising their democratic right to protest against the continued suppression of their legitimate right to self-determination promised by the United Nations Security Council in multiple resolutions. The US side was informed that the ongoing people’s movement in Kashmir was completely indigenous and spontaneous. It gained further momentum after the extra judicial killing of a young Kashmiri freedom lover Burhan Wani.

Prime Minister’s Special Envoys shared the carefully documented evidence of Indian brutalities and the systematic human rights violations being perpetrated by the Indian forces against the innocent civilians in occupied Kashmir which was the most heavily militarized zone on earth. It was highlighted how the use of pellet guns and other prohibited weapons were being used by the Indian authorities to suppress the voice of the Kashmiri people. Besides, several other fundamental rights of Kashmiri civilians including their right to assemble, worship and practice their faith were being denied.

Reminding the US officials that it was India which took the case of Jammu and Kashmir to the United Nations in 1948, the Special Envoys argued that present struggle of the people of Kashmir was a result of their frustration and disappointment over lack of fulfillment of their legally and diplomatically promised right of plebiscite to determine their future. The United States, being permanent member of the UN Security Council, was both legally and morally bound to play its role in ensuring that the people of Kashmir are able to exercise their inalienable right to self-determination in the same spirit granted by the international community to the people of East Timor a few years ago. The Special Envoys also stressed the need for activation of the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to monitor the ceasefire violations on the India side.

The US officials took note of the Indian human rights violations in Kashmir and informed that such excesses were also being documented and reported in their annual global report on the situation of human rights. The US officials further informed that the report regarding human rights violations in India constituted one of the longest part of the US global report.

In wake of the heightened tension in South Asia, it was agreed that early solution of the Kashmir dispute was necessary for lasting peace and stability in the region.

Islamabad 03 October 2016

PR. No. 446/2016

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release PM’s Special Envoy Awais  Leghari briefs Geneva international community on human rights situation in IOK  

Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Chairman Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs of the National Assembly who is currently visiting Geneva as the Special Envoy of the Prime Minister, on 06 September 2016 briefed the Geneva international community on the grave human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. 

Mr. Leghari met the President of the Human Rights Council, President ICRC and other Ambassadors to brief them about the atrocities being committed by the Indian occupation forces on the defencesless people of Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. The alarming impact of pellet gun injuries leading to “dead eyes” phenomenon on the peaceful protesters was also highlighted. He emphasized the importance of implementation of UN Security Council’s resolutions that recognize Jammu & Kashmir as disputed territory and call for a free and fair plebiscite for the realization of the right to self-determination of Kashmiris.

Chairman Foreign Affairs Committee referred to the Prime Minister’s letters addressed to the UN Secretary General and the High commissioner for Human Rights to stop the grievous brutalities of Indian security forces and to investigate the accesses committed against the people of Occupied Jammu & Kashmir.

The Special Envoy of the Prime Minister would continue to meet important dignitaries in Geneva and apprise them of the plight of the helpless Kashmiris, who demand of the international community to end the terror and violence being unleashed on them.

Islamabad 07 September, 2016

PR. No.453/2016

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release PM’s Special Envoy Awais Leghari visits Switzerland; highlights human rights situation in IOK

Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to Switzerland, Mr. Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs Committee is visiting Geneva. He also visited Swiss capital Bern to meet the office holders of the Swiss-Pakistan (A non-profit, non-religious platform of Pakistani community for promoting Pakistani culture and image building) as well as Pakistani community and exchanged views on how to promote the cause of Kashmir in Switzerland and highlight human rights violations being perpetrated by Indian occupation forces in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

Islamabad 09 September, 2016

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release

PMs Special Envoys on Kashmir Urge Pakistani Diaspora to Vigorously Highlight Horrendous Indian Brutalities in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir

The Prime Minister’s special envoys on Jammu and Kashmir, Mr. Ijaz ul Haq, MNA and Malik M. Uzair, MNA, who are visiting Belgium to highlight grave human rights violation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir, met the Pakistani and Kashmiri community in Brussels. They urged them to vigorously raise awareness about the atrocious Indian barbaric acts in IOK. The envoys briefed the Pakistani and Kashmiri Diaspora in detail about the horrific human right violations being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces against the innocent and defenseless civilians of IOK.

The Envoys highlighted that the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been demanding for realization of their right to self-determination, which was promised to them by the international community 68 years ago in shape of UN Security Council resolutions. They underscored that the international community must realize its responsibility to play an affective role for resolving the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. The Envoys urged the Pakistani diaspora to play an instrumental role in exposing, the Indian atrocities in IOK.

During their visit, the envoys will also brief officials of the Belgium government and EU, as well as parliamentarians, think-tanks and media persons about the obnoxious human rights violations being committed by Indian occupation forces to suppress the indigenous struggle of the people of IOK for realization of their right to self-determination.

Islamabad 28 September 2016

PR. No.489/2016

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release Special Envoys of Prime Minister on Kashmir arrive in Beijing meet Chinese Leadership

Special Envoys of the Prime Minister Makhdum Khusro Bakhtyar, MNA and Mr. Alam Dad Laleka, MNA arrived in Beijing yesterday. They are visiting China on the instructions of the Prime Minister to apprise the Chinese government of the deteriorating situation in Jammu and Kashmir. They met Liu Zhenmin, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. They also held a meeting with Mr. Cai Wu, Vice Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of CPPCC.

In their meetings with the Chinese leaders, Mr. Khusro Bakhtyar presented the genesis of the recent apprising in Kashmir. Special Envoys explained that situation in IOK was deteriorating fast and required urgent attention of the international community. Ever since extra judicial killing of Burhan Wani, on 08 July 2016, Indian occupying forces are engaged in committing excesses against innocent Kashmiris. Draconian laws and harsh methods used by India to quell peaceful protest have no parallel in history. Almost 100 people have lost their lives and many more have sustained severe injuries due to the use of pellet guns by the Indian occupying forces. Since 08 July 2016, life in IOK has come to a stand still and there is a complete media black out. They underscored that the United Nations recognizes Kashmir as a disputed territory and Pakistan as a legitimate party to the dispute. They reaffirmed the support of the Government of Pakistan for the right of the self-determination of the Kashmiri people. Mr. Laleka highlighted the humanitarian plight of the Kashmiri people who have been derived their legitimate rights for the last over six decades.

Chinese side expressed its concern over the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. They said that China gives great importance to Pakistan’s position. Kashmir dispute is a left over issue from history which needs to be resolved through dialogue and negotiations. The need to strengthen communication and dialogue between India and Pakistan was underlined by the Chinese side to safeguard regional peace and stability.

Islamabad 30 September, 2016,

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release The Prime Minister’s Special Envoys brief Chinese Academics, Scholars & Think-Tanks’ Representatives on HR violations by India in IOK

The Prime Minister’s Special Envoys Mukhdoom Khusru Bakhtiyar, MNA and Mr. Alam Dad Laleka, MNA, who are visiting People’s Republic of China to highlight the ongoing human rights violations in Indian Occupied Jammu Kashmir (IOK), met Chinese scholars, academics and representatives of various think-tanks in Beijing. The envoys gave a detailed account of the deteriorating situation in IOK and the atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian occupation forces against the innocent civilians including women, children and elderly. The Envoys highlighted that life of the people of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir are living under duress due to continuous curfew in IoK, people are unable to meet their daily life requirements. Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute as per UNSC Resolutions. As recognized by the UN, Pakistan is party to the dispute and is obliged to highlight the struggle of self determination of the Kashmiri people.

The Envoys informed the participants how earnestly Pakistan has tried to resolve all issues with India including the Kashmir dispute through a result oriented dialogue process. India has rejected all offers of dialogue. Therefore, Pakistan is compelled to approach the international community to highlight Indian suppression of an indigenous struggle of the Kashmiri people. Special Envoys also called upon the international community to a play a proactive role in resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

The Chinese intellectuals and scholars attending the event showed complete understanding of Pakistan’s position and shared their views on Kashmir dispute and regional situation. They emphasized the peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute, which poses a potential threat to peace and stability of the region.

Islamabad 30 September 2016

PR. No.492/2016

Office of the Spokesperson Press Release Prime Minister’s Envoys brief French Parliamentarians and senior officials on HR violations by India IoK

The Special Envoys of the Prime Minister on Jammu & Kashmir, Senator Ayesha Raza Farooq and Rana Muhammad Afzal Khan, Member National Assembly, met with the members of French National Assembly, French Senate, senior officials of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and local think tanks in Paris and briefed them about the Indian atrocities in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IoK) on defenseless Kashmiris. The President of France-Pakistan Friendship Group in the Senate of France, Senator Pascal Allizard, was also apprised of blatant human rights violations being committed by the Indian occupation forces in IoK.

The Envoys particularly highlighted the use of live ammunition and pellet guns against unarmed protesters, who are demanding their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions. Indian brutalities have caused martyrdom of more than 100 civilians, eyes injuries to over 800 among whom over 160 are completely blinded, and other injuries to around 15,000. Being a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, the Envoys urged France to play its role towards implementation of UN Security Council Resolutions, which recognize people of Jammu & Kashmir’s right to self determination through a free and fair plebiscite under the UN supervision. They stressed that the international community should pressurize India to stop the bloodshed of Kashmiris in IoK. The envoys emphasized that Pakistan is committed to peace and stability in the region and desires amicable resolution of all issues with India, particularly, the Jammu & Kashmir dispute.

The Envoys had a detailed interaction with the Pakistani and the Kashmiri community and lauded their role in highlighting the cause of Kashmir in France effectively. The envoys also met with the representatives of International Federation of Human Rights and Medicines du Monde and requested them to immediately extend humanitarian and medical aid to the injured Kashmiris.

Islamabad 30 September 2016

PM’s Special Envoy Awais Leghari meets UN High Commissioner for Human Right

Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister on Jammu & Kashmir and Chairman Standing Committee of National Assembly on Foreign Affairs met Prince Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, and briefed him about the ongoing critical human rights situation in IOK (Indian occupied Kashmir), underscoring that the matter was of great concern to all Pakistanis. With reference to Prime Minister’s letters addressed to the UN Secretary General and the High Commissioner, the Special Envoy asked the Human Rights High Commissioner to take concrete measures to immediately end violence in IoK. These actions include: a) Immediate investigation of the atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces against peaceful Kashmiri protestors. b) A fair, transparent and independent inquiry into the martyrdom of Burhan Muzaffar Wani and to help bring to justice those responsible for it; c) Assure the right of self determination and freedom to the Kashmiri people and end India’s oppressive measures against the Kashmiri people; d) Demand India to fulfill it human rights commitments under the UNSC resolutions and international human rights obligations; e) End immediately the use of pellet guns or other lethal substitutes against innocent Kashmiris and also end human rights abuses including mass killings, forced disappearances, illegal detentions, torture, rapes and sexual molestation; f) Abrogate immediately the Armed Forces Special Powers Act and other draconian laws. g) Withdraw the forces from IOK that have unleashed a terror on Kashmiris. High Commissioner Zeid thanked the Special Envoy for his visit to Geneva and for briefing him on the grave human rights situation in IoK. He assured the Special Envoy that his Office was carefully observing the situation in the area and was in contact with both India and Pakistan in this regard. Islamabad 11 September 2016