"Deeply distressing": MQM founder slams bloodshed of innocent Kashmiris by Pakistani forces in PoJK
London, July 29
Founder and leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Altaf Hussain, has described the deaths and injuries of caused to Kashmiris during protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir as "deeply distressing", stating that Pakistani police and security forces resorted to brutal firing against demonstrators demanding their rights.
Addressing an emergency social media gathering on the situation in PoJK, Hussain said Kashmiris had been peacefully protesting for their basic rights for several days, but alleged that instead of addressing their demands, the Pakistan Government was using force against them.
"The blood of innocent Kashmiris is being shed mercilessly. India's police and security forces did not commit such atrocities against those who took part in protests in India in recent days. If the two situations are compared, it becomes clear that Pakistan has inflicted greater atrocities upon its own Kashmiris," Hussain said.
"They are being fired upon, and hundreds of Kashmiris have so far been killed or injured," he added.
Referring to demonstrations held in Rawalakot, Mirpur and other areas on the call of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Hussain said that police and security forces opened fire on unarmed protesters.
"Bodies and injured people were left lying on the streets in various cities. Security forces also reportedly took away many of the bodies and injured persons. They also took control of hospitals and prevented the injured from receiving medical treatment," he said.
He stated that Pakistan's security forces have fired indiscriminately upon unarmed Kashmiris who were staging sit-ins and peacefully protesting for their demands, "bathing innocent Kashmiris in blood".
"If this is compared with the action taken by the police and security forces in India against protesters during the recent demonstrations there, the conclusion is that Pakistan's security forces have committed the greater atrocities against Kashmiris. Such atrocities, he said, is not seen in any democratic country in the world," Hussain said.
Hussain further slammed Pakistan's rulers and state institutions of using the Kashmir issue for decades while failing to address the rights of Kashmiris.
"Pakistan's rulers and state institutions had collected billions and trillions of dollars from around the world for 79 years in the name of Kashmir. Kashmiris were deceived with the slogan "Kashmir will become Pakistan". Yet today, when Kashmiris are demanding their rights, instead of granting them those rights, they are being shot at," he said.
Questioning whether such actions could preserve Pakistan's unity, Hussain asked: "Can Pakistan be kept intact by shedding the blood of Kashmiris? Can the voice of Kashmiris be silenced in this way?"
He also stated that Pakistani authorities attempted to prevent coverage of the situation.
"In order to conceal the atrocities taking place in Kashmir from the world, the Government of Pakistan had instructed electronic media outlets not to report on the matter," Hussain said.
Expressing his reaction to visuals emerging from the region, he said, "My heart wept upon seeing the videos and photographs emerging on international media and social media."
"I appeal to the rulers: for God's sake, stop this bloodshed of innocent Kashmiris. Stop the atrocities there. Give Kashmiris their rights," he added.
Hussain also paid tribute to those killed in the firing and expressed condolences to their families, saying that he and the MQM stood with them in their grief.
According to Amnesty's statement, reports on July 27 indicated violence in Rawalakot and one incident in Kotli, where a political worker was killed during a clash between supporters of rival parties.
The rights organisation cited claims by JAAC that 19 people were killed and dozens injured after security forces opened fire on protesters.
It added that media reports had confirmed casualties but had not specified a number.Amnesty said mobile internet services have remained suspended in the region since June 5.
Citing media reports, Amnesty said that in the lead-up to the election, at least 40 people had been killed, including 34 protesters and six police and paramilitary personnel.
This comes as protests emerged as the region witnessed escalating tensions during the long protest movement, with demonstrators demanding the release of detainees, withdrawal of cases against protesters, and acceptance of their broader demands.
Protesters also unequivocally denounced indiscriminate firing by Pakistani forces on demonstrators in Rawalakot as thousands of people prepared to march towards Muzaffarabad following the collapse of talks between the JAAC and the authorities on Monday.
The JAAC had set a 1 pm deadline on July 27 for the authorities to issue an official notification accepting its demands, warning that failure to do so would result in thousands of protesters marching from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad.
Thousands of people subsequently gathered in Rawalakot and began the march after no agreement was reached.
Following this, the Pakistani security forces opened fire on the demonstrators in the region.
At least 14 people were killed and nearly two dozen injured during the brutality on Monday evening, eyewitnesses associated with the movement claimed.
JAAC claimed that the number of people killed between June 5 and July 28 had risen to 67, referring to the deceased as "martyrs" and vowing to continue its movement.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is just heartbreaking to read. Whether it's Indian or Pakistani Kashmiris, no innocent person should be killed while protesting peacefully. I know our own government has done wrong things in Kashmir, but this level of brutality - firing on unarmed people, taking bodies from hospitals - is a whole different level of cruelty. The world media should be covering this. Praying for the families of the victims. 🙏
The irony is overwhelming. Pakistan's entire national identity is built on the "Kashmir will become Pakistan" mantra, and now they're shooting Kashmiris who demand rights. This is exposing the hypocrisy of their establishment in the worst way possible. Altaf Hussain is a controversial figure, but he's right about this - the comparison with India's protest management is stark. We've had issues, but not this level of state terrorism against our own people.
As someone from the US, this is incredibly disturbing to read. 67 people killed in less than two months, internet shut down, hospitals controlled by security forces. This is not democracy. This is not "Azadi" for Kashmiris. I've been following the Kashmir issue for years, and both India and Pakistan have blood on their hands. But this current situation in PoJK seems especially brutal. The international community needs to pay attention to both sides of the Line of Control.
I feel sick reading this. 67 people killed, bodies taken away by security forces, injured denied medical treatment. This is what happens when a military establishment rules without any accountability. I'm not defending India's record in Kashmir - we've done terrible things too, especially with AFSPA and the abrogation of Article 370. But comparing the two situations, it's clear that Pakistan's brutality is on another level. The silence from international human rights organizations is deafening.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.