Pakistan denounces ban on two Kashmiri organisations in IIOJ&K

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday denounced the ban on two Kashmir organisations for a period of five years imposed by the Indian authorities in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). India has banned two political groups in the IIOJK it accused of promoting secessionism in the disputed Muslim-majority region, including one headed by the occupied territory’s leading religious cleric.

An order issued late on Tuesday by India’s home ministry declared the Awami Action Committee (AAC) an unlawful association under the country’s stringent anti-terror laws, banning it for five years. It said the party’s activities were “prejudicial to the integrity, sovereignty and security” of India and accused its members of “supporting terrorist activities and anti-India propaganda for fuelling secessionism”.

A separate ministry notification announced the five-year ban of the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM). The JKIM was founded by another notable political and religious leader, Maulana Mohammad Abbas Ansari, who headed it till his demise in 2022. It accused the group of “sheer disrespect towards the constitutional authority” and promoting Kashmir’s “secession” from India.

“The recent decision increases the total number of outlawed Kashmiri political parties and organisations to 16,” Pakistan’s Foreign Office said in a statement issued today. “Banning of different political parties and organisations is yet another manifestation of the Indian authorities’ iron-fisted approach in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

“It reflects a desire to suppress the political activities and stifle dissent. It also shows sheer disregard of democratic norms and international human rights law.”