Unjustified to designate Kashmiri rights' group as terrorist: FO
Islamabad reacted to the US blacklisting of Kashmiri group that supports right to self-determination
ISLAMABAD (AFP/Web Desk) - Foreign Office on Thursday called it unjustified to designate individuals or groups supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists.
Islamabad criticised the United States for blacklisting the Kashmiri freedom group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as a terrorist organisation, calling the move "unjustified". The State Department designation bans US citizens and residents from dealing with the group and any assets found to belong to it in areas under US jurisdiction will be frozen.
"We are disappointed with the US decision in view of the fact that Kashmir is an internationally recognised dispute with UN Security Council resolutions pending implementation for the last 70 years," Nafees Zakariya, Pakistan s foreign ministry spokesman, told reporters in the capital Islamabad.
The move was "completely unjustified", he said.
After Washington announced the decision on Wednesday, several hundred activists gathered in Muzaffarabad, capital of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and chanted anti-US slogans.
Washington had already designated the group s leader, Syed Salahuddin, a "global terrorist". The designation comes the week both India and Pakistan mark 70 years of independence from the British Empire -- and the start of bitter rivalry and decades of conflict over the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir.
Since 1989, freedom activists have raised their voice in Indian-held Kashmir, demanding independence or a merger of the territory with Pakistan, and tens of thousands -- mostly civilians -- have been killed. India regularly accuses Pakistan of arming militants, while Islamabad denies the allegation, saying it only provides diplomatic support to Kashmiris seeking self-determination.
Meanwhile, FO spokesperson strongly condemn the Quetta blast in which our brave FC Personnel embraced Shahdat, paying tribute to the personnel of Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies. "They render the ultimate sacrifices for the protection of our country and its people," he stated. Zakariya mentioned that innocent civilians in IoK were subjected to worst atrocities in living memory at the hands of India occupation forces when they raised slogans in favour of Pakistan s 70th Anniversary.
"Killing of innocent Kashmiris, illegal detention and harassment of Kashmiri leadership, destruction of Kashmiris properties and terrorizing of Kashmiri women continues with impunity. And the civilized world only watches without a word of condemnation. History will record this sheer apathy for generations to come," he said. Islamabad said the Indian forces martyred six Kashmiris in the last five days with over 50 injured.
