Islamabad (Web Desk): Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned and categorically rejected the life sentence handed down to Kashmiri political leader Aasiya Andrabi, as well as the 30-year imprisonment given to her associates Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen by a court in Delhi.
In a statement, Foreign Office (FO) Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated that the judgment, issued under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, amounted to a serious injustice and demonstrated what he described as the ongoing denial of basic rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
“Pakistan views this decision as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at silencing dissenting voices and intimidating those advocating the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people,” he said and viewed that the sentencing raised serious concerns regarding due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations.
The spokesperson remarked that Aasiya Andrabi had remained a prominent voice for the Kashmir cause, adding that her conviction and severe punishment reflected a narrowing space for political dissent and civil liberties in IIOJK.
“Pakistan believes that such actions further exacerbate tensions and undermine prospects for peace and stability in South Asia.”
He urged the global community, including the United Nations and international human rights organizations, to take prompt notice of the situation and ensure accountability for actions in IIOJK.
He also stressed the importance of protecting the political, social, and human rights of the Kashmiri people, particularly their rights to free expression and a fair judicial process.
“Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” Andrabi added.