Islamabad: Pakistan says India must reckon with its obligations under international law and the UN Charter rather than casting unwarranted aspersions on Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir freely enjoy their civil and political rights and actively participate in shaping their democratic future.

According to Radio Pakistan, the Foreign Office emphasized Pakistan’s commitment to upholding the dignity of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, safeguarding their rights, including the right to peaceful assembly and protest, and advancing their socio-economic development. This commitment is rooted in both constitutional responsibility and a moral obligation to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In contrast, the statement highlighted the grim situation faced by individuals in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The use of brute force, denial of fundamental freedoms, and systematic human rights violations are identified as significant concerns, with India’s state-sponsored actions against the Kashmiri people aimed at suppressing their struggle.

The statement further criticized efforts to silence dissent, demographic changes, and the denial of civil liberties in IIOJK, emphasizing the severity of the situation. The Foreign Office asserted that India must respect the inalienable rights of the Kashmiri people, especially their right to self-determination as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions.

The press release concluded with Pakistan’s belief that resolving the Kashmir dispute is crucial for lasting peace and stability in South Asia.