“I put the protesters of PojK in the same category as India and consider them as enemies,” Khawaja Asif said.
The political crisis unfolded alongside the first phase of polling in 13 constituencies of the Mirpur division.
Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif said he considered protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) enemies, just as he considered India. “I put the protesters of PojK in the same category as India and consider them as enemies,” Khawaja Asif said when asked about the protest that intensified on Monday leading to the killing of over 30 protesters. However, political parties said the prolonged demonstrations had severely affected electioneering across the region. Residents told local media that public interest in the elections had sharply declined, with many believing that longstanding grievances and basic rights should be addressed before any electoral exercise. Enthusiasm for the polls is “almost non-existent,” with the protest movement taking precedence over electoral politics, according to several residents.
The committee also alleged that authorities had obstructed food supplies and curtailed access to the region, claims it said reflected the government’s approach towards the people of PoJK.