MIRPUR (AJK): Aug 25 (APP) :: Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry has called upon the international community to take immediate effective notice of the worsening situation of human rights in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) State.

“It is enjoined upon the comity of nations to play their due moral and much needed diplomatic role to stop India’s barbarism and brutality against Kashmiris particularly the Kashmiri women who have been worst victims of the Indian state terrorism”, he expressed these views while talking to Chairperson Be the Merciful (BTM) Samira Farrukh who called on him in Jammu Kashmir House in the federal metropolis on Friday.

On this occasion, Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Barrister Sultan Mahmood Chaudhry said that the Kashmiri people were going through a difficult situation in Occupied Kashmir. He said that due to the massive troops’ concentration in the region, the Kashmiri women have suffered enormously.

He said that Kashmiris living all over the world should become the voice of the women of Occupied Kashmir and expose the violation of human rights by India before the world community. ” Women and children in IOK are being targeted with pellet guns by the Indian occupation forces”, he said, adding that rape was used as a weapon of war against Kashmiris by the Indian forces.

He said, despite the relentless suppression, the women of Occupied Kashmir have significantly contributed to the ongoing freedom movement in Kashmir while fighting shoulder to shoulder with Kashmiri freedom fighters.

ISLAMABAD, August 25 (APP): Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi on Friday highlighted a growing conspiracy to incite religious and sectarian disturbances across the nation.

In a gathering of religious leaders, scholars, and clerics of twin cities – Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Ashrafi who is the President of the International Interfaith Harmony Council asserted that hostile forces, particularly India, were seeking to exploit religious fault lines to divert attention from the injustices faced by minorities in India.

The event brought together prominent figures such as Maulana Nauman Hashir, Maulana Tahir Aqeel Awan, Maulana Abu Bakr Hamid Sabri, Maulana Zulfiqar, Maulana Shahbaz Ahmed, Sahibzada Saqib Munir, and Maulana Naib Khan, among others.

Ashrafi emphasized the need for a united front against these nefarious designs that aim to plunge various regions, including Jaranwala, into religious and sectarian turmoil. He stated that concrete evidence pointed towards orchestrated efforts to incite religious and sectarian discord, particularly evident in Jaranwala and other areas.

He urged the superior judiciary for a speedy trial against all those allegedly involved in the desecration of the Holy Quran and setting ablaze the churches and the houses of the Christian community across the board.

He applauded Pakistan’s security institutions for thwarting these schemes and safeguarding the country’s stability. He said it was unanimously agreed that the conspirators behind this agenda were none other than the hostile elements from both India and Pakistan.

Ashrafi stressed the significance of unity and condemned any form of blasphemy or disrespect towards holy figures, whether Muslim or Christian. He vehemently opposed any entity or group that attempts to jeopardize the lives, properties, and dignity of individuals or communities.

He assured that religious leaders, scholars, and the general public stood shoulder to shoulder with the government of Pakistan. He welcomed the statements issued by Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar and Chief of Army Staff General Syed Asim Munir in denouncing such conspiracies.

He said this united front of Ulema and Mashaykh was committed to maintaining religious harmony, upholding the sanctity of all faiths, and ensuring the security and dignity of its citizens.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP): Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting Murtaza Solangi on Friday said the caretaker government was committed to its oath and would not deviate from the constitutional role.

Talking to a private channel, he said the primary mandate of the caretaker government was to assist the Election Commission of Pakistan in holding the election on the fixed date.

It was a “responsible and constitutional government” which would not resort to attack any constitutional office, nor would it become part of any such campaign, he added.

The minister said the previous government was formed by a political alliance and it would be better if they would explain their performance .

He said the caretaker government was fully cognizant of the effects of increase in the prices of electricity, gas, and essential commodities, and it was taking measures to control the inflation.

The oil prices witnessed an increase in the global market and the rupee was also devalued in past few days that created economic difficulties, he added. The government would present an economic recovery plan soon, Solangi said.

“All the ministers included in the Federal Cabinet are experts in their respective fields,” he said while responding to a query.

He said the economy would be in a better shape when the next elected government assumed charge as the caretaker government was taking prudent measures for economic progress and prosperity.

Steps like austerity were imperative to stabilize the economy, he added.

Solangi said the May 9 tragedy was unprecedented which had weakened the democracy. No political party had taken such action in the past, he said, adding courts were there to decide the fate of May 9 culprits, and the caretaker government would respect their verdicts.

“We do respect the law and the Constitution,” he remarked. “Justice is our salvation not the revenge.”

The minister said the statement of Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar about Pakistanis going abroad was taken out of context.

QUETTA, Aug 25 (APP): Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar Friday here said progress of Balochistan was the main priority of his government.

He made the remarks in a meeting with Caretaker Chief Minister Balochistan Ali Mardan Domki after his arrival here.

The chief minister briefed the PM on the administrative affairs of the province.
The prime minister directed that a detailed briefing should be presented regarding the administrative affairs and development and infrastructure projects of Balochistan.

He said progress of Pakistan was not possible without progress of Balochistan, adding Balochistan was not only rich in natural resources but its real strength was its capable human resources.

On his arrival, the prime minister was presented a guard of honour at the Chief Minister House.

ISLAMABAD, Aug 25 (APP):The United Nations Special Procedures for human rights had again expressed serious concerns about the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by the Indian occupation forces and imposition of restrictions on freedom of expression, assembly, and association against civil society actors, human rights defenders, political figures and journalists in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

Speaking at a weekly press briefing here on Friday, she said, “These concerns were conveyed in a communication dated 8 August 2023 by the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism; Working Group on Arbitrary Detention; Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the rights of freedom of opinion and expression; Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association; Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders; and Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief.”

“The Special Procedures have also highlighted that the framework of India’s counter-terrorism laws is ripe for human rights abuse and potential violations of India’s obligations under international human rights law, particularly the obligation to respect, protect, and fulfill the rights to equality and non-discrimination, the rights to freedom of expression and freedom of association, and the right to liberty and security of person,” she continued.

She said, the UN Special Procedures had already issued multiple communications on individual allegations of human rights violations in IIOJK, including arbitrary detention, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, ill treatment, intimidation, and reprise.

“The sudden closure of the Jammu and Kashmir State Human Rights Commission, which rendered people in the region with little legal recourse in seeking redressal and accountability for violation of their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The latest communication by the UN Special Procedures is a comprehensive document, covering multi-faceted human rights abuses in IIOJK, under the cover of counter-terrorism laws. It indicts India on its human rights record and the grave situation in IIOJK. We urge India to bring an end to its repression of the Kashmiri people so that they are able to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions,” she added.

She said a 60-year-old civilian Ghias from Kotli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir was killed as a result of unprovoked firing of Indian forces on 21 August 2023. The incident took place in the Nikial Sector of the Line of Control (LoC). This was a direct violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021.

The spokesperson said, “We have strongly protested this latest provocation from the Indian side and emphasized the vital importance of maintaining peace along the LoC. Pakistan urges India to conduct an investigation into the incident and to honour the Ceasefire Understanding. The Indian forces must also exercise extreme caution and desist from targeting innocent civilians. ”