ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday called for the immediate release of all Kashmiri political prisoners, human rights defenders and civil society activists detained in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
During his weekly media briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed deep concern over the politically motivated cases against Kashmiri leaders, including Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik.
He said India continues to suppress legitimate Kashmiri political voices through arbitrary detentions, sham trials and the misuse of harsh laws, accusing New Delhi of using its judiciary to pursue a political vendetta against the Kashmiri leadership.
The spokesperson urged the international community, including the United States, to play a constructive role in pressing India to end human rights violations and release all political prisoners. He reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains an internationally recognised issue on the United Nations agenda.
Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan would continue raising the Kashmir issue and advocating for the rights of the Kashmiri people at international forums, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and other global human rights bodies. He stressed that Kashmiris should not be punished for demanding their right to self-determination.
Responding to a question about house demolitions in IIOJK, the spokesperson said the indigenous Bakarwal community had faced repeated violations despite living in the region for generations. He alleged that the displacement of local communities and occupation of their land were part of efforts to alter the demographic structure of Jammu and Kashmir and exploit its natural resources.
He said Pakistan would raise the matter at relevant international forums.
On the Indus Waters Treaty dispute, Tahir Andrabi welcomed the supplemental award issued by the Court of Arbitration regarding the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower projects. He said the ruling reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing position that the treaty places clear limits on India’s water-control capabilities over the western rivers.
He said the award also reinforced Pakistan’s rights under the treaty and clarified that India must provide sufficient technical information to establish compliance with treaty obligations.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the Indus Waters Treaty and its dispute resolution mechanisms, adding that Islamabad would continue safeguarding its water rights through legal, diplomatic and treaty-based channels.
He also rejected India’s claim of holding the treaty in abeyance, stating that the treaty remains fully in force and Pakistan would not compromise on “a single drop” of water guaranteed under the agreement.
On Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, the spokesperson said that Afghan territory is being used to plan and launch terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.
He said the Afghan Taliban regime is either an accomplice to terrorist attacks inside Pakistan or is turning its eyes towards the other side to let these attacks happen. In view of this, Pakistan has taken certain actions since last October.
He said relations with Kabul would remain strained unless Pakistan received written assurances from the Afghan Taliban authorities that Afghan soil would not be used against Pakistan.
Tahir Hussain Andrabi also announced that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will undertake an official visit to China from May 23 to 26.
He said China has always stood by Pakistan during challenging times, adding that the two countries share deep-rooted and longstanding cooperation in trade, industry, education and people-to-people exchanges.
He noted that Pakistan and China are celebrating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year, reaffirming their “all-weather strategic partnership,” which continues to strengthen with time.
The spokesperson added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s upcoming visit is expected to further deepen bilateral cooperation and enhance the strategic partnership between the two countries.
During the visit, the prime minister will also chair a Pakistan-China business-to-business conference and attend a special reception in Beijing.
