UN raises concern over unrest in PoK, seeks investigation into protest-related deaths

The United Nations human rights agency has expressed concern over the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), urging authorities to conduct impartial investigations into the deaths of protesters and security personnel ahead of the region's legislative assembly elections.In a statement issued from Geneva on Friday, UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Türk appealed for calm as tensions continue to escalate ahead of the July 27 polls. According to the UN, dozens of people, the majority of them protesters, along with some law enforcement personnel, have reportedly been killed since June.Calls for investigationTürk called for prompt, thorough and independent investigations into all deaths linked to the unrest. He also voiced concern over the banning of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the civil society movement spearheading the protests, under Pakistan's anti-terrorism laws on allegations of threatening public order and security.