India Criticizes Pakistan's Local Elections in PoK as a Sham

India's Stance on Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Elections

New Delhi, August 4 - India has expressed strong disapproval regarding the so-called local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), labeling them as a mere facade. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that such hollow exercises cannot conceal the true situation in the region. The ministry condemned the harsh actions taken by the Pakistani government against protesters in PoK and urged the global community to recognize the hypocrisy in Islamabad's claims about human rights.

Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a routine press briefing, stated, “The so-called local elections in PoK are entirely a sham. The reality is that there are widespread protests occurring, and Pakistani forces are committing indiscriminate killings.” He noted that at least 90 civilians have lost their lives since June due to the ongoing crackdown.

Jaiswal further remarked that the Pakistani establishment has responded to public dissent with violence, power outages, intimidation, and oppression, while now attempting to validate its authority through a meaningless electoral process.

He asserted, “Pakistan must be held accountable, and the world should see through the hollow nature of its human rights rhetoric.” Jaiswal's comments came in response to inquiries about the elections in PoK, where the Joint Action Committee (JAC) is leading protests. During a march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad at the end of last month, Pakistani security forces reportedly used lethal force against demonstrators, resulting in the deaths of approximately 40 civilians and injuries to over 33 others.

The JAC has officially appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and international human rights organizations for an immediate and independent investigation into the “illegal killings.”