On Wednesday, Pakistan vehemently condemned India’s decision to label the Awami Action Committee and Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen as “unlawful associations” for five years, according to a statement from the Foreign Office.
This action brings the total number of banned political parties and organizations in Kashmir to 16, fueling further concerns about India’s aggressive stance in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Pakistan rejected Indian Foreign Minister’s statements regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir and denounced this decision as a direct attack on political freedom in the region. The Awami Action Committee, led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihad-ul-Muslimeen, founded by the late Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, have been key players in the region’s political landscape.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a statement criticizing the Indian move, calling it an evident effort to suppress political dissent and silence Kashmiri voices. It highlighted that such bans are yet another example of India’s authoritarian approach in IIOJK and an alarming disregard for democratic principles and international human rights.
Pakistan urged India to revoke the ban, lift restrictions on Kashmiri political parties, and release all political prisoners. Furthermore, Pakistan called for India to implement UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir, stressing the need for a peaceful solution to the enduring conflict.
