Kashmiri leader emphasizes increased footfall of foreign diplomats in Azad Kashmir

LONDON – Emphasizing on increased interaction of foreign diplomats based in Pakistan with Azad Kashmir, a diaspora leader Saturday rejected India’s so-called “strong protest” against visit to Mirpur by British diplomat in Islamabad.

“More and more international community and diplomats must visit Azad Kashmir because Pakistan has nothing to hide,” said Fahim Kayani, leader of Tehreek-e-Kashmir UK, a prominent diaspora group which advocates for right to self-determination of Kashmiris.

British High Commissioner to Pakistan Jane Marriott visited Azad Kashmir along with an official from the UK Foreign Office on Jan. 10, which “poked” India.

“Instead,” Kayani asked New Delhi, “unblock access to Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir where you imprisoned millions of beleaguered Kashmiris.”

He said New Delhi’s fascist regime led by world’s largest paramilitary RSS has “turned Jammu and Kashmir into an open-air prison.”

“India has deployed more than one million of its soldiers in occupied Kashmir, regularly blocks access to communications including internet and phone services.”

“If you claim to be a democracy, you should better allow international community including diplomats, journalists and rights watch groups an unimpeded access to occupied Kashmir, Kayani said in words direct at New Delhi.

“Stop your so-called coercive diplomacy,” Kayani said in hard hitting statement. “Kashmiris will no longer be bullied by your military might.”

Calling India a “rogue state” which has gone crazy with its extra-territorial and extra-judicial activities, Kayani said: “the international community must wake up and halt broad day violation of rule of law and UN Charter where India blocks implementation of UN resolutions on Kashmir and is murdering citizens of other nations through its agents who are taking safe refuge in its diplomatic missions like in Canada.”