ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has categorically rejected the awarding of a life imprisonment sentence to Kashmiri political leader Aasiya Andrabi along with the harsh 30-year prison sentences imposed on her two associates, Ms Fehmeeda Sofi and Ms Nahida Nasreen, by a India’s capital court.
Foreign office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, in a statement, the verdict constitutes a grave miscarriage of justice and reflects the continuing suppression of fundamental rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The spokesperson said Pakistan views this decision as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at silencing dissenting voices and intimidating those advocating the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people. The sentencing raises serious concerns regarding due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations.
The foreign office spokesperson said Aasiya Andrabi has long been a vocal advocate for the Kashmir cause. Her conviction and harsh sentencing underscore the shrinking space for political expression and civil liberties in IIOJK.
He said Pakistan believes that such actions further exacerbate tensions and undermine prospects for peace and stability in South Asia.
Tahir Andrabi said Pakistan urges the international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organisations, to take immediate notice of this development and to hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK. He called for the protection of the political, social, and human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to freedom of expression and a fair trial.
The spokesperson reiterated Pakistan’s unwavering support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.
