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Shocking Statement by Pakistani Defense Minister: Justifies Killing of 14 Civilians in PoK; Calls Them ‘Enemies Like India’
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has justified the killing of 14 protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He has labeled these protesters as enemies akin to India.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif made a highly controversial statement regarding the ongoing protests in PoK. Following an incident where security forces opened fire on protesters—killing at least 14 people—Asif defended the action. He stated that he considers the protesters who took to the streets against Islamabad to be enemies just like India.
Speaking to a local television channel, Asif said:
“I place the protesters of Azad Kashmir in the same category as India and consider them enemies just like India.”
He also ruled out the possibility of engaging in dialogue with the protesters and termed them ‘enemies of Pakistan.’
This incident occurred on the day of elections in PoK. Thousands of protesters, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), were marching from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad. Their primary demand was the abolition of the 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. According to the JAAC, the march was peaceful, but security forces opened fire unexpectedly. At least 14 activists were killed, and more than two dozen were injured in the incident. Among the deceased was Usman Nazir, the brother of a founding member of the JAAC.
Pakistani officials, however, have made a different claim. They allege that the protesters were armed with modern weapons and attacked security forces, necessitating a retaliatory response. These claims have not yet been independently verified.
Protests have been ongoing in PoK since June 5. People have taken to the streets over issues such as inflation, power shortages, wheat flour subsidies, and administrative repression. According to reports, more than 80 people have been killed since June.
India's Reaction
India has termed the elections in PoK a "cosmetic exercise." Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that this election is an attempt to legitimize Pakistan's illegal occupation.
"The entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—including the areas under Pakistan's illegal occupation—are an integral part of India," he clarified. This statement by Khawaja Asif has further intensified allegations regarding human rights violations in PoK.
Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has justified the killing of 14 protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). He has labeled these protesters as enemies akin to India.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif made a highly controversial statement regarding the ongoing protests in PoK. Following an incident where security forces opened fire on protesters—killing at least 14 people—Asif defended the action. He stated that he considers the protesters who took to the streets against Islamabad to be enemies just like India.
Speaking to a local television channel, Asif said:
“I place the protesters of Azad Kashmir in the same category as India and consider them enemies just like India.”
He also ruled out the possibility of engaging in dialogue with the protesters and termed them ‘enemies of Pakistan.’
This incident occurred on the day of elections in PoK. Thousands of protesters, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), were marching from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad. Their primary demand was the abolition of the 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. According to the JAAC, the march was peaceful, but security forces opened fire unexpectedly. At least 14 activists were killed, and more than two dozen were injured in the incident. Among the deceased was Usman Nazir, the brother of a founding member of the JAAC.
Pakistani officials, however, have made a different claim. They allege that the protesters were armed with modern weapons and attacked security forces, necessitating a retaliatory response. These claims have not yet been independently verified.
Protests have been ongoing in PoK since June 5. People have taken to the streets over issues such as inflation, power shortages, wheat flour subsidies, and administrative repression. According to reports, more than 80 people have been killed since June.
India's Reaction
India has termed the elections in PoK a "cosmetic exercise." Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that this election is an attempt to legitimize Pakistan's illegal occupation.
"The entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—including the areas under Pakistan's illegal occupation—are an integral part of India," he clarified. This statement by Khawaja Asif has further intensified allegations regarding human rights violations in PoK.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif made a highly controversial statement regarding the ongoing protests in PoK. Following an incident where security forces opened fire on protesters—killing at least 14 people—Asif defended the action. He stated that he considers the protesters who took to the streets against Islamabad to be enemies just like India.
Speaking to a local television channel, Asif said:
“I place the protesters of Azad Kashmir in the same category as India and consider them enemies just like India.”
He also ruled out the possibility of engaging in dialogue with the protesters and termed them ‘enemies of Pakistan.’
This incident occurred on the day of elections in PoK. Thousands of protesters, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), were marching from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad. Their primary demand was the abolition of the 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees. According to the JAAC, the march was peaceful, but security forces opened fire unexpectedly. At least 14 activists were killed, and more than two dozen were injured in the incident. Among the deceased was Usman Nazir, the brother of a founding member of the JAAC.
Pakistani officials, however, have made a different claim. They allege that the protesters were armed with modern weapons and attacked security forces, necessitating a retaliatory response. These claims have not yet been independently verified.
Protests have been ongoing in PoK since June 5. People have taken to the streets over issues such as inflation, power shortages, wheat flour subsidies, and administrative repression. According to reports, more than 80 people have been killed since June.
India's Reaction
India has termed the elections in PoK a "cosmetic exercise." Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that this election is an attempt to legitimize Pakistan's illegal occupation.
"The entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh—including the areas under Pakistan's illegal occupation—are an integral part of India," he clarified. This statement by Khawaja Asif has further intensified allegations regarding human rights violations in PoK.
