Concerns expressed over growing human rights violations

Rawalpindi (Press Release)

Political and human rights activists from Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan have expressed grave concern on the worsening human rights situation in Pakistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Beltistan. The speakers at the conference “human rights violation in Pakistan azad Kashmir and Gilgit Beltistan” organized by Jammu Kashmir Awami Workers Party at Rawalpindi gave horrific examples of growing human rights violations in Pakistan.

Participants from various fields of life including human rights defenders, representatives of civil society, political workers, social activist, lawyers, women activists, representatives of civil society organization and the journalists participated in the conference organised in a local hotel on the eve of International Day Of Human Rights.

Speaking on the occasion, Jammu Kashmir Awami Workers Party chairperson Nisar Shah Advocate said that the PTI government has failed miserably to control the violations of human rights situation in Pakistan and it’s under control area of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltastan. He said that the peoples of Azad Kashmir lacks economic, political, social rights and freedom of expression. They are under threat of growing influence of religious fanatics and an emergence of Afghanistan like situation. He said that religious extremist organization are regrouping in Azad Kashmir and some parts of Gilgit Baltistan.

Nisar Shah said that the state policy to use the extremist groups as its strategic assets is playing havoc with peoples lives. Peoples of Jammu Kashmir has already sacrificed its young generation on the name of ‘jihad’ and extremism which in fact was proxy war not a freedom struggle.

He said that if the state will not change its present narrative and soft corner toward the religious extremist originations, then it will fuel more extremism in the region. The innocent people has to face the consequence of this.

The recent incident of Sialkot and other such incidents are the bad examples of this narrative. These types of incident cannot be stoped if the state does not change its policy.

He said on one side the extremist groups are provided safe way and opportunities to continue their political activities even they are involved in direct attack on the state and on the other side peaceful progressive, democratic, rights based political, human rights activist and journalists are being continues face torture, sedition, terrorism charges, life imprisonment and enforce disappearance.

Nisar Shah said the constitutional status of Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan is still of colonial nature, where people have no rights and even control on their own resources.

The whole system is being controlled by Federal Government. The assemblies and rulers of both regions are powerless. The whole power are at the hands of the lent officers imposed from Pakistan. No one from state subject has to contest election or to get job without signing the affidavit of affiliation of Pakistan. It is very big fraud that area is being called Azad without any real freedom.

Dr. Basheer of HRCP said that the COVID-19 pandemic has hit hard in all parts of the societies, badly affected people including medically, socially, politically and economically.

He said that “peoples poverty, inequalities and discrimination based on religion/belief /gander or any others exclusion and environmental degradation are making society more vulnerable due to the pandemic and incompetence Government policies.

The conference demanded for the dismissal of Defense Minister Pervaiz Khatak on his statement for justifying the inhuman murder of Priyanthakumara at Sialkot.

They said that if the government is serious to resolve the issue of extremist, the state have to make the policy against the patronization of extremist organizations.

The conference also express grief and anger over the recent heinous crime of rape and murder of 13 year teen girl Kanwal at Dadyal Azad Kashmir. They demanded the strict action against the culprits.

The conference condemned the arrest of Awami Workers Party president Yousaf Masti Khan at Gawadar yesterday. They said Mr. Khan has done nothing more than demanding of the state to give Gwadar residents civil, political and economic rights to which they are entitle to. To charge Mr. Khan under archaic and repressive colonial laws is undemocratic and unjustified. He must be release immediately and unconditionally.

Others speakers waqar Qazmi Ukpnp, Sadaqat Mughal JKLF , Azhar Kashir JKNAP , Laquman Haqeem JKAWP ,Umer IKhlas , Muddassar Mahboob, Abid Rasheed , Talat Rubab Sajad Kashar, Shjahat hussain HR activist Gilgit Baltistan, Raja Muneer Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Movment , kabeer Iltaf organizer Azad Patan dam effectives movement and veteran left leader prof Khalique raised their concern about the mega project being constrict in the area.

They said that all mega project are being constructed without the proper consultation of regional governments. The local people dos not have any benefit from these projects. There resources are being plunder, and they are unable to get any benefits from this development. The effected peoples from these projects waiting for compensation of their land. The local people are neglected in jobs and even they have no permission to rise voice for their rights.

Issued By

JKAWP