Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Sunday strongly condemned the Indian authorities on Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir during Eidul Fitr and slammed Nawaz Sharif over his criminal silence over the issue.
“The authorities had placed the top Kashmiri leaders including Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik under house arrest and did not allow them to join the Eid prayers, which is a religious obligation for the Muslims. The Kashmiri people were allowed to gather for Eid prayers amid strict restrictions. Later, the youngsters were detained by security forces and hence the protests broke out. Indiscriminate teargas and flash bangs were used on the peaceful Kashmiri protesters and straight fire was also opened on them which resulted in killing and injuring many of them,” Bilawal said in a statement.
He strongly criticised the Indian authorities for curbing the rights of Kashmiri Muslims. “While the Muslims of the entire world celebrated Eidul Fitr, our Kashmiri brethren marked the day of festivities amid violence carried out by the Indian Army. Scores of people, including women, were injured on a day that was supposed to be a festival of joy and celebrations. Kashmiri leaders were denied the right to offer Eid prayers, while the people were traumatised by brutality of the Indian army. Such aggression by Indian authorities has exposed the sham democracy prevailing in India.”
The PPP chairman also condemned the murder of young Hurriyat leader Burhan Wani that led to the bloody riots in Srinagar.
He further reiterated the commitment that PPP stood united with the oppressed Kashmiris and it would raise voice for their rights at every forum and oppose the Indian hostility with full zeal.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari called the silence of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif a ‘criminal’ and ‘heinous’ act. “Nawaz Sharif has turned a blind eye to the persecution of innocent Kashmiris. His criminal silence has damaged the very cause of Kashmir which is the aorta of Pakistan. The PPP will not tolerate any such anti-Kashmir agenda.”
Commenting upon the violent incidents that took place in Azad Kashmir prior to the elections, Bilawal said it had been a habit of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) to harass candidates prior to elections.
He said the party was fully aware of the vile tactics used by the PML-N during elections but, he warned, that political rivals would not succeed in their plans.
Sources belonging to the PPP stated that Bilawal will return to the country from London on Tuesday and will hold meetings with party leaders in Islamabad.
The PPP chairman will also address public gatherings in Azad Kashmir regarding upcoming elections and will preside over important meetings of the party in the federal capital, the sources said.
Bilawal shall also be briefed by party leaders about the recent violent incidents that took place during election campaign in Muzaffarabad. He will address public gatherings in Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad on July 14 and 16 respectively.
