Brussels

As Pakistan marked its annual Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, the United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) launched a sharp criticism of Islamabad, accusing it of systematic repression in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB).

UKPNP leaders said the observance is being used as a propaganda exercise to deflect attention from Pakistan’s own human rights record in the regions under its control.

In a video statement, Jamil Maqsood, President of the Foreign Affairs Committee of UKPNP, termed Pakistan’s actions a “mockery of the word solidarity”.

“On one hand, Pakistan has occupied, marginalised and oppressed the people of PoJK and PoGB, and on the other, it stages so-called solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Maqsood said.

Calling for Pakistan’s withdrawal from both regions, he urged the restoration of political, social, economic, constitutional and democratic rights, claiming these have been denied since 1947 and 1949 respectively.

Maqsood alleged that widespread protests are ongoing in both regions against Pakistan’s policies, including opposition to what he described as the bifurcation of the territories. He also warned that the proposed 28th amendment would further deteriorate the human rights situation.

Appealing to the international community, Maqsood called on global powers to use diplomatic channels to pressure Pakistan to halt repression and the targeting of political activists, social rights advocates and civil society under laws such as the PICA Act.

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He further urged residents of PoJK and PoGB to unite and raise their voices against what he termed Pakistani occupation.