Pakistan’s Imran Khan reiterates support of Kashmiris, slams India’s ‘genocidal acts’

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated that his country stands united with the inhabitants of Indian-controlled Kashmir, accusing his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, of pursuing the failed “fascist policies of oppression and violence” in the disputed region.

On Saturday, Khan made the comments in his message delivered on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day, which is observed as a national holiday in Pakistan.

“Pakistan stands united with our Kashmiri brothers & sisters and committed to their legitimate struggle for self-determination,” he tweeted.

The Pakistani premier lambasted Modi’s administration, urging the international community to take notice of what he called India’s crimes against humanity.

Khan said Modi’s “fascist policies of oppression and violence have failed to crush the spirit of the Kashmiri resistance in [Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir] IIOJK.”

The Modi administration stripped Indian-controlled Kashmir of its partial autonomy and divided the region into two federal territories on August 5, 2019. New Delhi then launched a massive security operation and communications blackout that lasted for months, arresting thousands of people and deploying thousands of extra troops to the disputed territory.

Khan also emphasized that it was time the world took notice of what he called India’s grave human rights violations in Kashmir, which he said includes crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocidal acts as well as the threat of forced demographic change.

“All these are in complete violation of the Geneva Conventions,” the Pakistani premier stated, adding that it is the international community’s responsibility to ensure an impartial referendum in Kashmir.

“The world must not ignore the plight of the people of [Indian-occupied Kashmir] IoK and their undeniable desire to free themselves from the Indian state's draconian military occupation,” Khan said.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since their partition in 1947, with both countries claiming the region in full. The Indian side of the region has been the scene of constant clashes between government forces and armed groups seeking Kashmir’s independence or its merger with Pakistan.

Every year, Pakistan commemorates Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5 to show Pakistan's support and unity with the people of Indian-controlled Jammu and Kashmir.

India regularly accuses Pakistan of arming and training militants and allowing them across the restive frontier to launch attacks. Pakistan rejects the accusation.

India and Pakistan have fought four wars since their partition in 1947, three of them over Kashmir.

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