Concerns Rise Over Electoral Integrity and Human Rights Violations in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir

Human Rights Commission Raises Alarm

Lahore, Aug 30: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has reported that the government employed "disproportionate force" against demonstrators in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), raising significant doubts about the legitimacy of the recent elections, which were marred by violence and allegations of extensive rigging.

A report from the HRCP's fact-finding mission, released on Saturday, linked the unrest in PoK to deep-rooted political and socio-economic issues, a lack of trust in institutions, and governance failures.

The HRCP noted that the state's increasingly aggressive response, including excessive force, has intensified divisions and diminished public confidence. The commission received conflicting reports regarding the extent of violence and the actions of security personnel.

Voting for 45 seats in the PoK legislative assembly took place in three phases from July 27 to August 10.

The banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been protesting in PoK since June over contentious refugee seats, accused the authorities of manipulating these seats to install a prime minister of their choice.

After failed negotiations with the JAAC on May 30, the Kashmir government banned the organization on June 5 under anti-terrorism laws.

The JAAC claims that over 40 individuals died during the first phase of voting on July 27, and alleges that around 400 protesters have been killed since early June, a claim denied by the federal government.

The HRCP expressed grave concern over reports of "lethal and excessive" force used against protesters, stating that families reported numerous fatalities and serious injuries inflicted by security forces. The Kashmir police chief indicated that approximately 38 security personnel have died since June.

"We could not independently verify the full extent or circumstances of civilian casualties, particularly as our team was unable to access Rawalakot, a key area of violence," the commission stated, calling for an impartial investigation into all fatalities and serious injuries since June, including the legality and necessity of the force used.

The report also criticized the government's use of anti-terrorism laws against political activists.

"The heavy presence of security forces, extended communication restrictions, boycotts by major political parties, staggered polling, and the postponement of seven constituencies raised broader concerns about the electoral process's credibility," the HRCP noted regarding the PoK elections.

India asserts that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of its territory, claiming that Pakistan is illegally occupying parts of these regions.

On August 4, India condemned the local elections in PoK as a "complete farce," arguing that such superficial exercises cannot obscure the reality on the ground.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) criticized Pakistan's crackdown on protesters in PoK, urging the international community to see through Islamabad's "hypocritical" stance on human rights.

"This so-called local election in PoK is a complete farce. The real situation involves public protests and indiscriminate killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot conceal the truth," stated MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal during a media briefing.

The HRCP report called for an independent review of cases against protesters, activists, journalists, and political workers, advocating for the withdrawal of cases against those detained or prosecuted solely for peaceful political activities or lawful assembly.

It also criticized restrictions on journalism and information access, noting that journalists faced arrests, legal challenges, and limitations on accessing affected areas, while prolonged communication shutdowns severely hampered independent reporting and verification of deaths, injuries, arrests, and alleged electoral irregularities.

"The communications blackout extended beyond political activities, disrupting banking, education, commerce, transport, public administration, and healthcare," the report stated.

The PoK legislative assembly comprises 53 seats, with 45 directly elected and eight reserved for women, technocrats, and clerics.

Voting for seven of the 45 directly elected seats—five in Poonch district and two in Sudhnoti district—could not occur due to law and order issues.

The 38 members elected directly participated in the elections for the eight reserved seats.

Currently, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), led by Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif, holds 31 of the 46 seats, while its federal coalition partner, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP), has 14 seats. A member from the Awami Dast-o-Bazu Party has also allied with the PML-N.

Barrister Iftikhar Gillani of the PML-N, who lost to a PPP candidate in the Muzaffarabad-III general election but later secured a technocrat seat, has been elected as the Prime Minister of PoK.

The PML-N, particularly its founder Nawaz Sharif, is facing significant backlash from various quarters, including party members, for appointing a defeated candidate to lead the government in PoK.