Like Pakistanis who celebrated 77th Republic Day on March 23rd, 2017 all over the world, Kashmiris in Azad Kashmir and Indian-occupied Kashmir also chanted slogans to mark the big day. But our neighbouring country, the self proclaimed biggest democracy in world, felt offended with actions and not only torture the crowd but also beaten seven journalists covering Pakistan Day celebrations. Pakistan officially condemned Indian troops’ torturing of journalists.
At the weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that Indian authorities also detained Hurriyet leaders barring them from attending Pakistan Day function at country’s high commission in New Delhi. He expressed concerns over the arrest of 131 youth and 30 Hurriyet leaders last week.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office stated that Indian police ruthlessly beat up seven journalists including senior photo-journalists Tauseef Mustafa (AFP), Mubashir Khan (Greater Kashmir), Farooq Javed Khan (European Press Photo Agency), Umar Sheikh (Times Now) and Shauib Masoodi (Indian Express) at Hyderpora in Srinagar who were performing their professional duties.
Read: All set to celebrate 77th Pakistan Day tomorrow befittingly
Foreign Office Spokesman said celebration of Pakistan Day is a clear verdict of the people of the Occupied Kashmir that they want to join Pakistan. He said that human rights situation has been aggravated in the Occupied Kashmir.
He also added that Indian targeting civilians in Azad Kashmir and heightening tension on the Line of Control has threatened peace in the region.
Replying to a question on Indian massive purchase of weapons by India, Nafees Zakaria said Pakistan do not want arms race in the region and desires to solve issues with Indian through dialogue. He urged the international community to influence India to respond positively to Pakistan’s initiatives for peace.
To a question, the spokesman said not mentioning of human rights violations in the Occupied Kashmir has put a question mark on the credibility of the US human rights report.
The spokesman said Pakistan opened its border with Afghanistan as a goodwill gesture and it hoped Afghan Government would remove root cause that led to closure of the border. To a question, he said Pakistan will attend a conference regarding Afghanistan to be held in Moscow, but it will be decided later that at which level Pakistan will participate in the moot.
