New Delhi: Disenchanted with Pakistani rule, resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) are protesting in large numbers against the establishment and demanding freedom.
In a report by a private TV channel, the video footage showed youths shouting slogans of azadi (freedom).
The people living in the region seem angry due to lack of development. They can be heard demanding jobs and other basic rights in the video. The protests against the Pakistani establishment were reportedly held in several areas of PoK, including Muzaffarabad, Gilgit and Kotli.
Among the issues raised by protesters, mostly youths, are human rights violation, misbehaviour with their women and ISI's policy to forcefully recruit them for jihad. Protesters also said on camera that the Pakistani establishment had no right to use force on them.
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The PoK residents added that India was better than the neighbouring country.
Pakistan blamed India for disturbances in the region and termed the visuals as propaganda of the Indian media.
Commenting on the video, Pakistan Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry also said, "It's a propaganda. Pakistan has always raised the voice for the Kashmiris. Whole world is watching how Pakistani flags are being raised in Kashmir (Indian Side). From our side it will only be political, moral and diplomatic support for them and that we will continue to extend but there is no answer for the propaganda."
Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz, who is in the US for the UN summit said, "Pakistan remains committed to finding a just and peaceful resolution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Pakistan's principled position on the Kashmir dispute is based on the UN Security Council Resolutions, which remain unimplemented to this day.”
Pakistan's position on the Kashmir dispute is based on the UN Security Council resolutions, Radio Pakistan quoted Aziz as saying in a meeting on Kashmir issue on Tuesday.
Aziz said Pakistan is ready to hold talks with India at any level without any preconditions.
The Contact Group of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation on Jammu and Kashmir has expressed solidarity with Kashmir and extended full support to their cause.
The meeting attended by the OIC's foreign ministers was held in New York on the fringes of the UN General Assembly.
Lat month NSA level talks between Indian and Pakistan were cancelled after Pakistan put a pre-condition to include Kashmir issue in the agenda.
