NEW DELHI: Kashmiri socio-political activist Tasleema Akhtar has raised concerns over the treatment of people in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), alleging that Pakistan has failed to protect their basic rights and provide adequate infrastructure and essential services.Addressing the 54th session of the UN human rights council in Geneva, Akhtar contrasted the situation in PoK with developments in the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir (JKUT). She alleged that people in PoK were living at the mercy of the Pakistan government amid poor infrastructure, limited investment and disregard for their basic rights.Her remarks come against the backdrop of concerns raised at the UNHRC over the human rights situation in PoK and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan.At the 63rd session of the council, United Kashmir People’s National Party chairman Sardar Shaukat Ali Kashmiri had alleged intensified repression in PoK since June 5 citing reports of arrests, violence, deaths, injuries, alleged disappearances and restrictions on internet and mobile communications.Kashmiri had called for an independent investigation into the reported violations and urged Pakistan to stop using force against peaceful protesters.
‘Strategic developmental differences’
Akhtar told the UNHRC that there were significant differences in development between JKUT and PoJK.“Mr Vice President, being a native to J&K through UNHR Council, I would like to bring forth the strategic developmental differences of Union Territory of J&K, i.e. JKUT and Pak Occupied J&K.”She said the Indian government was investing in infrastructure and development projects in Jammu and Kashmir, while alleging that PoJK faced inadequate investment and misuse of its resources.“While JKUT is bringing transformational changes for the betterment of the region, people of POJK are living at the mercy of Pakistan Government having uttered disregard for the people over there and their basic human rights and amenities.”Akhtar also alleged that Pakistan was struggling with its financial obligations while shielding terrorist outfits involved in what she described as a proxy war against India.“While the Government of India is investing in infrastructure and developmental projects in J&K besides bringing peace and prosperity to the region, Pakistan is struggling to meet its basic financial obligations and is shielding terrorist outfitters to wage a proxy war against India.”
Education concerns
Akhtar highlighted education as one of the key areas where she said JKUT had an advantage over PoK.“PoK lacks even basic infrastructure and amenities, with negligible investment and built-in misappropriation of its resources by Pakistan. In terms of education and literacy rate, JKUT is far ahead of PoK. Government of India spends nine times more on education in JKUT compared to its counterpart.”She alleged that schools in PoK lacked basic facilities such as buildings, roofs, clean water and toilets. These shortcomings, she said, were creating hardships for students and contributing to a high dropout rate.“PoK is facing a major crisis in its education sector, lacking basic infrastructure including building and roofs, clean water, toilets, etc., causing acute hardships to students, resulting in severe drop-out ratio.”
Healthcare access
Akhtar also pointed to differences in access to healthcare. She said people in JKUT were able to access health benefits under national schemes even in remote areas, while similar access remained a distant prospect for people in PoJK.“Change is also possible in health sector. PoK of health, UT are availing health benefits in even their remote areas with national health schemes, which is a distant dream for the people of PoK.”She further highlighted the government’s health insurance coverage in Jammu and Kashmir.“Government of India facilitates people of the Juman Kashmir with universal health insurance coverage of far-reaching… Thank you.”
Broader concerns over PoK
Akhtar’s remarks followed wider concerns raised at the UNHRC over alleged restrictions and human rights violations in the Pakistan-occupied parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
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Kashmiri, while addressing the council’s 63rd session under Agenda Item 4, had called for independent monitoring of PoK and PoGB, an investigation into reported violations and the release of people he described as arbitrarily detained.“Peaceful dissent is not terrorism, and demanding rights is not a crime,” Kashmiri said.He also called for the whereabouts of missing people to be established and for unrestricted internet and mobile communications to be restored across PoK.“The Council must act now to safeguard the lives and fundamental rights of millions of Kashmiris,” he said.
