London, UK | July 30, 2025: The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has strongly criticized Pakistan’s long-held stance on the right to self-determination for Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), citing a consistent pattern of human rights abuses and political suppression in the region. In a recent discussion, UKPNP spokesperson Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan and party founder Shaukat Ali Kashmiri expressed significant skepticism regarding recent comments by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar at an Atlantic Council event in Washington D.C.
Shaukat Ali Kashmiri accused Pakistan of using “revered concepts like ‘right to self-determination’ to deceive the global community,” while simultaneously suppressing peaceful dissent and curtailing political rights in both PoJK and Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB). He highlighted that nationalist activists in these regions are barred from participating in elections, and peaceful figures from groups like the Karakoram National Movement and the Human Rights Action Committee have faced arrest and silencing. “Since 1948, Pakistan’s policy has remained consistent in exploiting the Kashmir issue for political gain while denying the very rights it claims to champion in its administered territories,” Kashmiri asserted.
The discussion also touched upon a recent UKPNP conference held at the British Parliament on July 8. Sardar Nasir Aziz Khan reported positive feedback from British legislators, with many MPs voicing support for the people of PoJK and reaffirming their commitment to upholding international human rights standards in the region.
The UKPNP leaders brought attention to ongoing unrest within Pakistan-administered territories, specifically mentioning recent police strikes in PoJK due to inadequate working conditions and a lack of essential allowances. Shaukat stated that “These strikes are part of a broader movement for rights that is gathering strength in PoJK. The Awami Action Committee and civil society organisations have articulated legitimate demands but have faced delays, denials, and at times, violent crackdowns.”
The situation in PoGB remains dire, according to the UKPNP, with Pakistan continuing to imprison peaceful human rights advocates despite international protests. While some leaders have recently been released due to pressure from organizations like UKPNP and resolutions presented at the House of Commons, the underlying issues persist.
Both Nasir and Shaukat sharply criticized Pakistan’s tactic of labeling anyone seeking basic rights as “pro-India” or “anti-state.” They argued that this strategy is employed to silence opposition, instill fear, and undermine peaceful movements. “If Pakistan genuinely supports the right to self-determination, it must first permit freedom of political expression and movement within the territories it governs. Instead, what we observe is a continued colonial-style dominance, land appropriation, political repression, and media suppression,” Shaukat remarked.
Concerns were also raised about Pakistan’s recent initiatives to federalize resource-rich areas like Gwadar, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the UKPNP leaders cautioning that similar policies might be applied to PoJK, leading to resource exploitation and erosion of local autonomy.
The party leaders also voiced criticism regarding the 12 reserved refugee seats in the PoJK Legislative Assembly (six each for Jammu and Valley migrants), and Pakistan’s overarching control over the region’s legislative framework through the Kashmir Council, which is chaired by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. They called for the repeal of undemocratic provisions in “Act 74” and for reforms that would enable the people of PoJK to legislate and govern without interference from Islamabad.
The UKPNP leadership urged for unity among refugees and locals to strengthen their collective struggle for rights, emphasizing the importance of overcoming internal divisions. Shaukat Ali Kashmiri concluded with a resolute statement: “Our journey will continue, whether we are present or not. But the voice of the PoJK people will not be silenced. This is not just a matter of politics, it is a matter of identity, dignity, and justice.”