In a powerful and heartfelt address to the 54th regular session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), Professor Sajjad Raja brought forth the plight of the people living in Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK). Along with him, Danish Ali a human rights activist from Pakistan-occupied-Gilgit Baltistan(POGB) also spoke up and exposed Pakistan Army’s human rights crimes in the occupied region. His words resonated with a passion that sought not just attention but, more importantly, action from the international community.

Plight of POJK

Professor Sajjad Raja is the Chairman National Equality Party, JKGBL, that stands for Jammu and Kashmir Globalization Board of Leaders. It is a political party in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POJK) that advocates for the rights of the people of POJK and POGB. His intervention at the UNHRC session shed light on the grim circumstances faced by the people of POJK, who have long yearned for a life of peace and dignity on their own land. His concerns centered around two critical issues: the availability of essential resources like flour and electricity and the pressing need to free the region from Pakistan Army’s oppressive grip.

The professor appealed to the global community and reminded us of the decades-long struggle of those living in POJK. Their aspirations for freedom and self-determination have been consistently denied with the use of utmost violence. And their basic human rights have been violated. This situation calls for immediate attention and intervention, and Professor Raja’s impassioned plea came at a critical time. Pakistan is grappling with inflation, debt and instability. These economic hardships has now been transferred to the innocent civilians, and the burden of high electricity rates and food has led to numerous protests, burning of the electricity bills in the region.

Pakistan’s Human Rights violations in POGB

The voice of Danish Ali also reverberated through the UNHRC chambers as he brought to light the coercive measures employed by Pakistan Army to suppress human rights in the region. Pakistan-occupied-Gilgit-Baltistan has, for far too long, suffered under the shadow of political and military control, with the local population’s basic rights going unfulfilled.

Ali spoke about the Paki establishment’s suppression of freedom of expression of POGB. He also highlighted the deprivation of basic human rights and amenities, including medical and educational facilities, under Pakistan’s illegal occupation. Pak Army also restricts internet services to cut the region off and isolating it from the rest of the world.

Furthermore, people of POGB are suffering due to Pakistan’s anti-people model of control, and lack of any form of governance. Pak has imposed excessive tax on the electricity bills on POGB and it has forced the people to launch a civil disobedience movement. Also, currently Shia minorities are being targeted through misuse of blasphemy law. These issues has resulted in protests in the region.

Minorities in Pakistan especially Shias, Ahmadiyas, Christians and Hindus are living under constant threat of cultural and physical genocide. Therefore, Ali urged the international community to support POGB & POJK to reunite with India & end to Pak illegal occupation.

Demand for Justice

The people of POGB and POJK are now taking a stand, raising their voices to demand justice and basic rights. They are no longer willing to accept a status quo that has deprived them of the resources and freedoms they rightfully deserve. Their peaceful protests show the urgency of the situation and the need for international platforms to step in and address their grievances.

Fatima Shigri, another brave voice from POGB, has questioned Pakistan’s priorities. In her poignant words, she asks why the suffering of the people in her region goes unnoticed, while trivial matters make headlines. Her question resonates with many who feel that their lives and struggles have been overshadowed by the politics of Pakistan.

A Global Call for Attention and Action

The people of POGB & POJK are standing up for their rights and their land. Their demand for justice is clear, and their commitment to bringing about change is unwavering. They understand that their land and resources are only what Pakistan wants, but they are determined to reclaim what is rightfully theirs.

In a world where headlines are often dominated by global politics and power struggles, it is essential to pay attention to the voices that often go unheard. Professor Sajjad Raja, Danish Ali, and Fatima Shigri, along with countless others in POJK and POGB, have now raised their voices for themselves. Their passionate pleas at the United Nations should serve as a wake-up call to the international community.

In a disturbing and heartbreaking incident, the rogue Pakistan Army has once again displayed its oppressive nature by abducting six innocent Kashmiri youths. These young individuals were engaged in a selfless act of cleaning and maintaining a cemetery in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). This heinous act sheds light on the true face of oppression and injustice that persists in the region.

Children abducted for terror training

This incident is not isolated. Just a few months ago, a local traders’ body in PoJK raised an alarming concern about the abduction of children who were being subjected to terror training by Pakistan-based jihadi groups. Shockingly, it is reported that over 150 children have gone missing from the region in the past two months.

During a press conference, Maulana Khalil, the chief of the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Traders’ Association (POJK), revealed that most of the missing children hail from various areas in PoK, including Muzaffarabad, Balakot, Rawalkot, Noorkot, Nowshera Samani, and Bagh. Maulana Khalil expressed his shock at the situation and suggested that these abductions appear to be pre-planned.

While Maulana Khalil did not directly accuse the Pakistan Army or ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), it is obvious that they are involved in providing training to the abducted children in terror camps. Operating such camps without the blessings or involvement of the Pakistan Army or ISI is not possible.

Local bodies have also alleged that Paki establishment is attempting to alter the demographics of PoJK by settling non-Kashmiris, particularly those of Punjabi origin, in the region.

This is not the first time that the Pakistan Army has abducted innocent civilians in PoJK. In recent years, hundreds of missing persons have been reported, including members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) party. Many of these missing persons are the sole breadwinners of their families, and their disappearance has caused immense hardship and suffering.

The Pakistan Army has been accused of using torture and other inhumane treatment against detainees. In many cases, detainees have been held incommunicado for months or even years without charge or trial.

Human rights groups have repeatedly called on the Pakistan government to investigate the disappearances and to bring those responsible to justice. However, no meaningful action to address this issue has been taken so far.

Locals resist abduction attempts

In 2020, in Rawalakot city, Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK), brave residents prevented an abduction attempt by Pakistan Army’s agents targeting a Kashmiri youth named Nauman. A video shared by the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) captured the moment when locals intervened. They smashed the abductors’ vehicle, broke its windows, and confronted the kidnappers, who claimed to be from the Federal Investigating Agency (FIA) but were accused of carrying fake identity cards.

Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir has been a hotspot for terror activities against India for a long period. It was the target of surgical strikes by the Indian military following the Uri attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

The abduction of Kashmiri youths and children raises serious human rights concerns and highlights the need for international attention and intervention. Under illegal occupation of Pakistan, PoJK has suffered for decades. The calls for justice and an end to such abductions grow louder each day, and the we must not remain silent in the face of such atrocities.

In a significant development, the Kulgam Police in Jammu and Kashmir have apprehended five individuals described as “hybrid” terrorists, following the dismantling of two terror modules in the region. The operation, conducted on Sunday, also led to the recovery of a cache of arms and ammunition, further underscoring the gravity of the situation.

Among the seized items were two pistols, three hand grenades, one Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL), and various other types of ammunition. The five individuals arrested in this operation have been identified as Aadil Hussain Wani, Suhail Ahmad Dar, Aitmad Ahmad Laway, Mehraj Ahmad Lone, and Sabzar Ahmad Khaar. Their alleged affiliation with the notorious terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba has raised alarms among security forces.

A First Information Report (FIR) has been filed at the Qaimoh police station, officially documenting the arrests and related discoveries. An ongoing investigation is currently underway to ascertain the full extent of their involvement and any potential connections to other criminal activities.

Series of terror modules busted

This recent development comes roughly a month after the police, in collaboration with the 26 Assam Rifles and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), successfully uncovered and dismantled a terror module in north Kashmir’s Bandipora region. Subsequently, two terrorists were arrested and arms and ammunition were confiscated from them, emphasizing the continuous efforts to combat terrorism in the region.

The authorities have been vigilant in their pursuit of individuals involved in terrorist activities, with a commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the region’s residents. In the last few months, security forces have busted several terror revival plot in J&K. A month before the Bandipora dismantle, security force also thwarted a terror revival plot in Srinagar, where the 43 separatists and terrorists were arrested following a raid in a hotel. The recent arrests and seizures highlight the continued challenges faced by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to maintain peace and stability in the region.