MUZAFFARABAD: Hundreds of people gathered in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday to denounce India’s decision to host a G20 tourism meeting in the disputed Himalayan region.
The conference is being held in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), from Monday to Wednesday, despite opposition from Pakistan and China.
Protesters took to the streets in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir, and other cities, chanting slogans such as “Go India go back and boycott, boycott G20 boycott!” according to Raja Azhar Iqbal, a government official.
The demonstrators expressed their strong disapproval of India’s attempt to gain legitimacy over its control of the disputed region through hosting international events.
Pakistan labels G20 summit as illegal
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari visited the region and addressed the legislative assembly of AJK on Monday. He labeled the G20 gathering as illegal and criticized India’s misuse of its position as G20 chair.
Bhutto-Zardari called on the international community to take note of India’s grave human rights violations in occupied Kashmir since the revocation of its special status in August 2019.
The G20 tourism working group meeting marks the first international event taking place in the region since its annexation by India.
The longstanding conflict over Kashmir has resulted in three wars between nuclear-armed neighbors Pakistan and India, two of them specifically centered on the disputed territory.
The G20 consists of 19 wealthy nations along with the European Union, and India currently holds its presidency. The country is also scheduled to host the annual G20 summit in New Delhi in September.
