‘Hollow electoral exercise': India slams Pakistan over 'farce' PoK polls
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has formally criticized the local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, labeling them a 'farce' and accusing Pakistani forces of violent repression. India also reiterated its demand for Pakistan to dismantle terrorist infrastructure.
Why it matters
This diplomatic escalation underscores the persistent conflict and lack of trust between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
NEW DELHI: The Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday slammed the recently conducted so-called local elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), calling them “a complete farce” and accusing Pakistani forces of using violence, blackouts, intimidation and repression against civilians.Addressing a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality.”Jaiswal claimed that at least 90 civilians had been killed since June during what he described as a continuing crackdown by the Pakistani establishment.“Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the continuing crackdown,” he said.
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