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Tag: Kashmir

  • UK asked to probe Indian army chief, home minister over alleged war crimes in occupied Kashmir

    UK asked to probe Indian army chief, home minister over alleged war crimes in occupied Kashmir

    A London-based law firm has filed an application with the British police seeking the arrest of India’s army chief and a senior Indian government official over their alleged roles in war crimes in Indian-Occupied Kashmir, reports TRT World.

    Law firm Stoke White said on Tuesday it submitted extensive evidence to the Metropolitan Police’s War Crimes Unit documenting how Indian troops headed by General Manoj Mukund Naravane and Indian Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah were responsible for the torture, kidnapping, and killing of activists, journalists, and civilians.

    The law firm’s report was based on over 2,000 testimonies taken between 2020 and 2021. It also accused eight unnamed senior Indian military officials of direct involvement in war crimes and torture in Occupied Kashmir.

    “There is strong reason to believe that Indian authorities are conducting war crimes and other violence against civilians in [Indian-Occupied] Jammu and Kashmir,” the report stated.

    Hakan Camuz, director of international law at Stoke White, said he hoped the report would convince the British police to open an investigation and ultimately arrest the officials when they set foot in the United Kingdom (UK). Some of the Indian officials have financial assets and other links to Britain.

    “We are asking the UK government to do their duty and investigate and arrest them for what they did based on the evidence we supplied to them. We want them to be held accountable,” Camuz said.

    The police application was made on behalf of the family of Zia Mustafa, a jailed rebel fighter whom Camuz said was the victim of an extrajudicial killing by Indian authorities in 2021, and on behalf of human rights campaigner Muhammad Ahsan Untoo, who was allegedly tortured before his arrest last week.

    Human rights lawyers have increasingly used the universal jurisdiction principle to seek justice for people who were unable to file criminal complaints in their home countries or with the International Criminal Court, located in The Hague.

    Last week, a German court convicted a former Syrian secret police officer of crimes against humanity for overseeing the abuse of thousands of detainees at a jail near Damascus a decade ago.

    Camuz said he hoped the request to the British police seeking the arrest of Indian officials will be followed by other legal actions also focusing on Kashmir.

    “We are sure this is not going to be the last one, there will probably be many more applications,” he said.

  • ‘No deal with Nawaz, keep us out of it’: DG ISPR tells media

    ‘No deal with Nawaz, keep us out of it’: DG ISPR tells media

    Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General (DG) Major Gen Babar Iftikhar termed the rumours of a deal with former Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif as “baseless” and urged the media to “keep the establishment out of it.”

    At a press conference in Rawalpindi, DG ISPR dismissed any deal with Sharif, saying, “If someone does talk of a deal, then you must ask them who is offering a deal.”

    “Who is striking a deal with Nawaz Sharif?” he posed a question while adding that there is no trouble between the civilian government and military.

    Security situation at the Western border

    During an ISPR briefing to the media, DG ISPR also addressed the Pakistan-Afghanistan border i.e. Durand Line issue. According to him, border fencing which is 94 per cent completed, was being done in an effort to protect the people on both sides [Pak and Afghan] as well as to regulate trade. 

    He revealed that the security situation along the Western border was “challenging” during 2021. He said: “People can cross the border from designated points. This process will be eased in the coming months. The blood of our martyrs was spilled in fencing of the border. It is a fence of peace. It will be completed and remain.”

    No ceasefire with TTP currently, operations to continue

    The DG ISPR said that talks with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan  (TTP) are “on hold” but the operations [against them] are “ongoing”.

    “The TTP is not a monolith. They have internal differences. There were some problems, some conditions that were non-negotiable from our [Pakistan] side so there is no ceasefire right now. We are continuing with operations and will continue till we get rid of this menace,” he added.

    The worst siege in human history: DG ISPR on Kashmir

    He recalled Indian forces’ cruelty in occupied Kashmir a “propaganda” campaign by their media and said that this is the “worst siege” in human history.

    The DG ISPR accused India of endangering regional security by purchasing arms, adding that it would lead to a race in the region and have a negative impact on peace.

    He also added that India faked an encounter in Neelum Valley and killed an innocent Kashmiri and then blamed Pakistan for it.

  • ‘The UN must take action on India’s war crimes: PM Khan expresses solidarity with Kashmiris

    ‘The UN must take action on India’s war crimes: PM Khan expresses solidarity with Kashmiris

    Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan on Wednesday berated the Narendra Modi-led Indian government for “brazenly” violating the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir.

    PM Khan, expressing his solidarity with Kashmiris, took to Twitter and said the “UNSC commitment of a United Nations (UN)-supervised plebiscite in Kashmir remains unfulfilled” due to the attitude of the Modi government.

    He added that the international community, especially the UN, must take action against India’s war crimes and crimes against humanity in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

    “Pakistan remains steadfast in its commitment to the just Kashmiri struggle for self-determination,” he added.

    In a separate message on the occasion, the prime minister, while reminding the world community that it cannot abandon its moral and legal responsibilities towards Kashmiris, said that durable peace in South Asia is contingent upon peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with international legitimacy.

    “While observing 5th of January as the Right to Self-Determination Day for the Kashmiris, we reiterate our commitment to uphold the fundamental human rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and pay homage to the Kashmiris’ just struggle spanning over more than seven decades,” he said.

    “We are commemorating this day to remind the world community that it cannot abandon its moral and legal responsibilities towards the Kashmiri people.”

  • Modi can attend SAARC summit virtually if he doesn’t want to come to Islamabad: Pak Foreign Minister

    Modi can attend SAARC summit virtually if he doesn’t want to come to Islamabad: Pak Foreign Minister

     

    Pakistan has extended India a virtual invitation to attend the summit for the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) virtually if Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi does not want to attend the summit in Islamabad. It was revealed by Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi in a news conference on Monday.

    He said, “Pakistan considers SAARC as an important forum. We are willing to host the 19th SAARC summit and if India has any issue in attending the summit in person then it can attend virtually.”

    The Secretary-General of SAARC recently visited Islamabad and Pakistan has shown eagerness to host the summit.

    FM Qureshi further added, “If India cannot attend the summit in Islamabad at least it should not stop other members,” while giving an invitation to other SAARC members for the next summit.

    While talking about bilateral relations with India, Qureshi said that durable peace, sustainability and economic development in the region have been halted by the ruling party Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) whose political ideology is based on anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim sentiments.

    He added, “India’s unilateral and illegal actions in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) since August 5, 2019, aimed at undermining the status of the disputed territory, perpetuating its illegal occupation and altering its demographic structure, and the unabated widespread violations of human rights and international humanitarian law and state-terrorism perpetrated against the innocent Kashmiris have further vitiated the environment and threatened international peace and security.”

    He further expressed that Pakistan wants friendly relations with every neighbouring country, however, it depends on India to take necessary steps towards dialogue and resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

    The Foreign Minister also highlighted the worsening situation of Kashmiri leaders and the persecution of the locals.

    In November 2016, India refused to attend the SAARC summit which was scheduled in Islamabad due to the high tensions between both countries.

  • Kashmiris rage at India’s proposal to redraw voting map

    A proposal to redraw the Indian-administered Kashmir’s electoral map has given rise to a controversy in the region, reports BBC.

    Many view that the recommendation is an assault on the political centrality and supremacy of the Indian people. The proposal has raised eyebrows as the Muslim population thinks that it will lessen their choice for electing their leaders.

    People in the Kashmir Valley believe that the proposal of redrawing the voting map is part of India’s ‘dream project’ of installing a Hindu minister in the Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir.

    It will further dissociate the Muslim majority from the rest of India.

    The people of Kashmir have another fear of constant security clampdowns and communication jamming of Kashmir, keeping it away from the world.

  • ‘He is not a terrorist’: UN criticises arrest of Indian Occupied Kashmir activist

    ‘He is not a terrorist’: UN criticises arrest of Indian Occupied Kashmir activist

    The United Nations (UN) has condemned and criticised the arrest of Khurram Parvez, a prominent human rights activist in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) on terror funding charges.

    UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders Mary Lawlor called the act ‘disturbing’ and tweeted, “He [Parvez] is at risk of being charged by authorities in India with terrorism-related crimes. He’s not a terrorist, he’s a Human Rights Defender.”

    An Indian official told Reuters that Parvez was arrested on Monday by India’s federal National Investigation Agency (NIA). According to the official, Parvez’s residence and office were searched and a mobile phone, laptop, and books were seized. However, a spokesperson for the NIA confirmed Parvez’s arrest on Tuesday.

    Currently, the human rights activist is being held under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which allows for the detention of up to six months ‘without’ trial.

    Reuters has reported that the activist’s lawyer, Parvez Imroz, could not immediately be reached for comment.

    Back in 2016, Parvez was arrested and detained on similar charges. Later, he was released without being convicted of any crime.

    He is one of Kashmir’s best-known activists and head of the Jammu Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, a group of rights organisations working in the region.

  • ‘I get migraine’: Sheheryar Afridi reveals reason behind visit to France

    Chairperson of the Parliamentary Special Committee on Kashmir, Shehryar Khan Afridi, who is on a special visit to France, revealed why he was there.

    When asked by journalist Younas Khan whether he has had any interactions with parliamentarians or Tink Tank as he is touring France, Afridi said, “I get migraine. I was told about a doctor here. So for the first two-three days, I need to get treatment.”

    Reporter Younas Khan shared the clip on Twitter. “You are the chairman of the Kashmir Committee. Your job is to play a role in diplomacy on the Kashmir issues all over the world.”

    “You are in France. Which Think Tank did you meet here? Have you talked to any parliamentarian on Kashmir?” questioned Younas.

    “The culture is different here, you have to take appointments a month prior from parliamentarians and think tanks here. There is a proper channel here,” said Afridi.

    He added that he is reaching out to the Pakistani and Kashmiri communities during his stay in France and Italy. He also mentioned that he met stakeholders during his United States (US) visit. Afridi said that his next visit to Canada, Brussels, and Britain will include interactions with parliamentarians and Think Tanks.

  • Visually impaired Saima Saleem raises voice against Indian human rights violations at UNGA

    A visually impaired Pakistani female diplomat Saima Saleem raised her voice against India violating human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir during the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) session.

    In her speech, Saima said that India’s violation of human rights in India occupied Jammu and Kashmir are well documented in the two reports of the high commissioner for human rights.

    “Since 5th August 2019, the High Commissioner has urged India to unlock the situation and fully restore the rights that are currently being denied to the people of the occupied territory,” she added.

    She further said that “major human rights organisations including the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have expressed similar serious concerns about India’s human rights violation including in the occupied territory.”

    “Not surprisingly, Indian authorities have failed to respond to any of these communications.”

    Federal minister for information and broadcasting, Fawad Chaudhry, lauded Saima for highlighting the Kashmir issue.

    Not only the minister but many other social media users appreciated Saima for her speech.

    https://twitter.com/Sniper_T1S1/status/1441629479164579840?s=20

  • PM Imran Khan to address UNGA on Kashmir, Afghanistan issues today

    Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) today. His speech is going to focus on raising his voice against Indian atrocities in Occupied Kashmir and speak about the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

    The prime minister will speak at 1:30am Pakistan Standard Time (PST) on September 25 [4:30 pm, September 24, Eastern Standard Time]. As per reports, the prime minister is seventh on the list of speakers to address the UNGA today in the afternoon session.

    The premier’s policy address will serve to enhance Pakistan’s diplomatic outreach and engagement with its international partners and key institutions.

  • ‘The ones who do the big talks’, Sheheryar Afridi criticises US women while in New York

    ‘The ones who do the big talks’, Sheheryar Afridi criticises US women while in New York

    Chairman of the Parliamentary Com­mittee on Kashmir, Sheh­r­yar Khan Afridi’s video has gone viral on social media, where he can be seen criticising the women of the United States (US) for their culture.

    Afridi, while leisurely walking in Times Square, New York, wearing a Levi’s t-shirt, lectures American women for their cultural choices and draws a comparison with Pakistani women.

    “The religion we follow, whether we are a Baloch, Sindhi, Punjabi, immigrant, Siraki or Pushtun, we respect our women. See, she is an American woman. She too is someone’s sister or daughter. This is Manhattan,” says Afridi.

    Afridi further added, “These people are advocates of human rights, these aren’t just political slogans. This is the reality.”

    “The ones who do the big talks and lecture us should come and see what the condition of their women is,” said Afridi.

    Afridi received a lot of backlash on his video and Twitterati reacted strongly to Afridi’s problematic comments.

    Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal tweeted, “Ridiculous. [The] US has its own culture & values & it is none of our business to lecture them on women issues while we have seen some serious crimes against women recently at home.”

    Journalist Alia Chugtai tweeted, “11 rape cases are reported a day in Pakistan. No one actually knows how many in reality. An unaccounted number of little boys and men raped – and here is a ruling party member trying his hand at dissing how women in America are treated.”

    Journalist Secunder Kermani tweeted, “One minute and one second of pure facepalm as this Pakistani politician, in a rather tight t-shirt, sermonises about the state of American women.”

    Educationist Taimur Bandey wrote, “All those patriots worried about the image of Pakistan hope you are as embarrassed today as you usually are over everything else.”

    Political activist questioning the government tweeted, “What is this @ShireenMazari1? Why your party people are so brainless? If he does not like [the] US why is he going at first place and wearing T-SHIRT and jeans and cursing their culture? This is disgusting they should not behave childish.”