Pakistan has called on India to immediately release Kashmiri women leaders Asiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi, and Nahida Nasreen, condemning their recent sentences as politically motivated and retaliatory. Earlier this week, an Indian special court sentenced Asiya Andrabi to life imprisonment, while Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen received 30-year prison terms under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
At a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed strong condemnation of the verdicts, rejecting what he described as politically driven actions targeting Kashmiri leadership. He highlighted that many Kashmiri leaders have endured prolonged imprisonment, including the notable Syed Ali Shah Geelani, a prominent figure in the Kashmiri self-determination movement, who passed away while in Indian custody.
In a significant development, the spokesperson also criticized the ongoing closure of the historic Jamia Masjid in Srinagar, located in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He emphasized that barring worshippers from congregational prayers represents a grave violation of religious freedoms and fundamental human rights. The mosque has remained shut for the majority of Ramadan and during Eid prayers for the seventh consecutive year since India’s August 5, 2019 actions.
the spokesperson, Indian authorities have sealed the mosque and prohibited Kashmiri Muslims from assembling on key religious occasions. He described these restrictions, especially during Ramadan and Eid, as deeply troubling. Pakistan has urged the international community, including the United Nations and human rights organizations, to take notice and press India to respect the right to freedom of religion in the region.
Meanwhile, addressing a question on Afghanistan, the spokesperson reaffirmed that Pakistan’s security operation, “Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq” (Righteous Fury), launched in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban, will continue until its goals are met. He noted the operation focuses on dismantling terrorist networks and infrastructure. Although a temporary pause was observed following appeals from friendly and Islamic nations, the campaign remains active.
Pakistan reiterated its commitment to raising concerns over human rights violations and urged India to guarantee fundamental rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
