India has turned Kashmir into world’s largest ‘open prison’: FM

While addressing Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Jammu and Kashmir via video link, FM said that India is subjecting Kashmiris to worst form of human rights violations.

“India has deployed nine hundred thousand troops in occupied Kashmir to suppress dissent. Thousands of Kashmiris are under stringent lockdown and communication blackout since August 05, 2019. Many are missing and their families have no information regarding them,” he said.

He paid tribute to all Islamic countries for standing united and firm on Kashmir issue.

“International community is aware of the situation in Kashmir and they should raise voice against Indian atrocities in the valley,” he added.

Shah Mehmood Qureshi said India is changing Muslim majority into minority in Kashmir by altering the demography of region.

India on August 05, 2019 in a unilateral move abrogated Articles 370 and 35A granting special status to occupied Kashmir. The move was followed by imposition of curfew and communication blackout in the valley still intact after more than 550 days.

On October 31, 2019 India formally divided the state of Jammu and Kashmir in to two new federally-administered territories as per the constitutional changes approved by the Indian parliament on August 5.

According to the new arrangement, the occupied Kashmir is divided into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, which borders China. The two new union territories are now ruled directly from the capital Delhi. As per Indian constitution, union territories have far less autonomy from the federal government than states do.

Pakistan has, ever since, been raising its voice against Indian atrocities and gross human rights violations in Kashmir. Prime Minister Imran Khan also, in his historic speech at UNGA session last year, also highlighted how India has illegally imposed curfew and lockdown in the valley. He also warned the world that the worst humanitarian crisis could unfold in Kashmir followed by a possibility of war between the two nuclear states.

Even the international media, on several occasions, has highlighted the deteriorating situation in Kashmir resulting from the persistent curfew and lockdown.