AJK PM demands release of Asiya Andrabi in IOK

Urges India to stop violations of human rights in the occupied territory

ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider Khan on Thursday condemned the arrest of Asiya Andarabi and others Hurriyat Conference leaders in Occupied Kashmir.

The PM has asked the international community to take notice of the unwarranted actions of the Indian army against the political leadership. "India must implement the recommendations of UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) report, stop gross violation of human rights and allow international investigators into Kashmir to assess the rights situation in the Held Valley," he added.  He said that Andarabi was arrested in a case registered by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA), charging her for “waging war against India.”

Haider said that Andarabi was taken into custody ahead of the death anniversary of Burhan Muzaffar Wani and is still under arrest for six days. “Asiya Andarabi and other Hurriyat leaders are being punished for raising their voices against the oppressive Indian rule and demanding India to quit Kashmir,” he added.

The AJK premier also condemned the detention of Syed Ali Gillani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Yaseen Malik, Zafar Akbar Bhat and others. He urged India to cooperate with the UNHRC in the investigation of the mass graves and forced disappearances of Kashmiri youth in the held territory.

Demanding immediate end of the new killing spree, destruction of properties and illegal detentions of political activists in Kashmir, Haider reiterated the resolve of Kashmiri people to continue their struggle till India has vacated their occupied land.

Meanwhile, AJK President Sardar Masood Khan and PM Haider termed July 13 as an important milestone in the history of Kashmir when 33 youngsters of Kashmir had sacrificed their lives and laid the foundation of Kashmir liberation struggle in 1931.

In a message on the eve July 13, both President and Prime Minister said that the struggle started by Kashmiri youth on July 1931 will continue till Kashmir is liberated from the illegal occupation of India and the people of Kashmir are given to decide their future with free will.

They said that India kept a major part of Kashmir under its military occupation for the last 70 years but the people of Kashmir are resolute and determined to continue their struggle till their motherland is liberated from foreign occupation. They expressed their firm resolve to spare no effort for completion of the mission started 87 years ago on this day.