Kashmiri diaspora protests outside Pakistan consulate in Bradford over violence in PoJK
London, August 14
The Kashmiri diaspora in the United Kingdom has continued its protest in solidarity with the people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, raising concerns over reported violence, civilian deaths, prolonged military and security restrictions, and alleged disruptions to supplies of food and essential medicines.
A sit-in protest is being held outside the Pakistan Consulate in Bradford in solidarity with the Public Action Committee and people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), who are demanding what protesters described as their fundamental rights, dignity, justice and democratic freedoms.
The protesters have condemned the reported use of force against civilians and called for the protection of women, children and the wider civilian population.
They have also urged authorities to immediately lift restrictions that are reportedly affecting access to essential food, medicines and other necessities.
The Kashmiri diaspora has called upon the international community and the United Nations to take notice of the situation and ensure that the fundamental human, democratic and political rights of the Kashmiri people are respected.
The Bradford protest is aimed at expressing solidarity with people in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), highlighting reported human rights concerns and calling for a peaceful and democratic resolution of the situation through dialogue rather than the use of force.
Speaking at the protest outside the Pakistan Consulate in Bradford on August 13, Zia Ahmed, a member of the British Kashmiri diaspora, said the fundamental human, democratic and political rights of the Kashmiri people must be respected and recognised.
Ahmed expressed concern over the reported use of force against civilians, loss of civilian lives, prolonged restrictions and alleged disruption in the supply of essential food and medicines in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).
He called upon the international community and the United Nations to take immediate notice of the situation and play an effective role in ensuring the protection and fundamental rights of the Kashmiri people.
Ahmed further said that the legitimate demands of the people should be addressed through dialogue and a peaceful political process rather than through the use of force.
The protest in Bradford comes amid continuing concerns raised by Kashmiri groups and diaspora organisations over the situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). Protesters have maintained that civilian safety and access to essential services must be prioritised while political differences are resolved through peaceful and democratic means.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Heartbreaking to read about the violence and restrictions on food and medicines. 😢 No human being should suffer like this, regardless of borders. I hope the UN actually does something this time instead of just issuing statements.
The world needs to understand that this is not about religion or politics - it's about basic human dignity. People in PoJK are being denied food, medicine, and fundamental rights. Shame on those who look away. Pakistan should stop pretending and genuinely address these issues.
As someone from the UK, I'm glad to see our Kashmiri community actively raising awareness about this. It's disappointing that the British government hasn't taken a stronger stance on this humanitarian issue. This deserves international scrutiny.
The protests outside Pakistan consulate are the voice of those who cannot speak. The international community must take this seriously! 🙏🏽 Innocent civilians should never be caught in political crossfires. I just wish both sides would prioritise people over politics.
While I fully support the Kashmiri people's right to dignity and justice, I think we need to be careful about one-sided narratives. Yes, there are serious concerns about violence and restrictions, but any solution must involve all stakeholders in a peaceful dialogue. Violence from any side is unacceptable.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.