'They're enemies like India': Khawaja Asif justifies killing of protesters in PoK
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has labeled protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as enemies, drawing parallels to his stance on India. The statement follows violent clashes that resulted in over 30 deaths and prompted Amnesty International to call for restored communications and media access in the region.
Why it matters
The rhetoric highlights the volatile political climate in PoJK and the Pakistani government's aggressive approach to domestic dissent, which has significant implications for regional stability.
Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif said he considered protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) enemies, just as he considered India."I put the protesters of PojK in the same category as India and consider them as enemies," Khawaja Asif said when asked about the protest that intensified on Monday leading to the killing of over 30 protesters.Moreover, the Amnesty International USA called the Pakistani crackdown on protestors as "disturbing" and urged Islamabad to "restore all communications access and allow media and independent observers into the area.""The disturbing reports emerging from Rawalakot are consistent with the Pakistani authorities’ long history of unlawful violence against protesters in PoJK.
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