New Delhi, Aug 4: India on Tuesday rejected the second phase of local elections held in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the electoral exercise as a “complete farce” and alleging that it was being used to conceal public unrest and human rights concerns in the region.Responding to questions during a regular media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the elections lacked credibility and could not reflect the situation on the ground.
He alleged that the region had witnessed public protests and a continuing crackdown by Pakistani authorities. According to the Indian government, civilians had been killed and several others injured amid the unrest.
Jaiswal said that elections could not provide legitimacy if concerns related to public dissent, alleged violence and restrictions remained unaddressed.
He accused Pakistan of attempting to project a democratic image through what India described as a “hollow electoral exercise.”The MEA spokesperson also alleged that Pakistani authorities had responded to public dissatisfaction through the use of force, communication restrictions, intimidation and other measures instead of addressing the concerns of local residents.India urged the international community to closely examine the situation and hold Pakistan accountable for alleged human rights violations.
Jaiswal said the global community should look beyond Pakistan’s public statements on human rights and assess developments in the region independently.During the briefing, Jaiswal also referred to the Indus Waters Treaty, saying India’s position on the agreement would remain unchanged until Pakistan took credible and irreversible action against cross-border terrorism.
India has consistently maintained that Pakistan must take effective and verifiable steps to end support for cross-border terrorism before any change in its position can be considered.The remarks underline the continuing diplomatic tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, cross-border terrorism and other bilateral issues.
