ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has urged the United Nations (UN) to take notice of the ongoing raids of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India, on offices and residences of human rights activists, journalists, members of the civil society, and humanitarian aid organisations operating in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

"The NIA has been raising fears among the activists of human rights organisations and journalists, since October 28, so that the media and human rights organisations do not report on the Indian government's genocidal actions against Kashmiris," Chairman Kashmir Committee Sheryar Afridi said, while addressing an event here on Saturday.

Afridi urged the UN experts on human rights and freedom of expression to make an immediate intervention into the Indian government's illegal transfer of 2.4 lakh kanals of land in IOK to the Industries and Commerce Divisions of India.

Addressing here at a reception held to eulogise the services of doctors, paramedics and the armed forces in the fight against Covid-19, Afridi said all Indian actions in occupied Kashmir were illegal and blatant violation of the United Nations resolutions on the Kashmir dispute, and were aimed at genocide of Kashmiris.

"Hindutva regime of India wants to cover up the ongoing genocide in Kashmir by gagging the voices of media and human rights organisations. Amnesty India was also forced to shut down its operations in India last month. Amnesty International also has condemned the Indian government's ongoing campaign against human rights organisations and the media," Afridi said.

Afridi said the Modi government must understand that the truth could not be hidden by such raids and creating an atmosphere of fear. "RSS goons and the Modi administration cannot fool the world on Kashmiri genocide.

We will continue to expose the inhuman actions of the colonial rulers in Kashmir. The world must break its criminal silence and give freedom to Kashmiris," he added. Afridi said nations were formed when they were connected to their foundations.

"We must pay tribute to our heroes. Our heroes are performing significant tasks in every field. My salute to the doctors, paramedical staff and the Armed Forces, who have been instrumental in defeating the coronavirus pandemic under the vision and strategy of Prime Minister Imran Khan," he said.

The chairman Kashmir Committee also lauded the services of the staff and administration of the NIH and all the institutions that have added a new chapter in history by combating the pandemic better than the Western world.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020