Pakistan Condemns India’s Ban on Kashmiri Political Groups
Pakistan strongly criticized India’s decision to designate the ‘Awami Action Committee’ and ‘Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen’ as “unlawful associations” for five years. This move brings the total number of banned political parties and organizations in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) to 16.
The ‘Awami Action Committee’ is led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a prominent political and religious figure, while the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen’ was founded by the late Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, who led the organization until his passing in 2022. Last year, India had already banned several other political parties in the region, raising concerns over the suppression of political dissent.
In a statement, Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan condemned the decision, calling it a reflection of India’s heavy-handed approach in IIOJK. “This ban is another attempt to suppress political activities and silence dissent. It demonstrates a blatant disregard for democratic principles and international human rights laws,” he said.
Khan urged the Indian government to lift restrictions on Kashmiri political parties, release all political prisoners, and adhere to the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan reiterated its call for a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir issue in line with international norms and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
