Protests in New York for Release of PoJK Political Prisoners
Members of the New York chapter of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) and the diaspora from Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) held a protest outside the Pakistan consulate in New York. They demanded the release of political prisoners arrested during the recent Muzaffarabad protest.
During the protest, demonstrators raised their voices on several issues in PoJK, such as the revocation of wheat and flour subsidies and severe power cuts. They warned that if their demands are not met, they will organize further demonstrations outside the consulates of Pakistan in Bartania and the US, and even outside the UN.
One demonstrator stated, “Our people in PoJK still struggle to survive and are not given basic amenities. They are treated as second-grade citizens in their own land.”
Another demonstrator added, “When we raise our voices for our rights, a puppet minister is sent to negotiate with us. What has been happening for over 70 years was once again repeated, and we were backstabbed. We will continue our protests until our demands are met.”
The demonstrators also claimed that activists from PoJK are often arrested on baseless accusations. The abduction of Khwaja Khursheed Ahmed, a prominent figure from PoJK, has triggered widespread protests in the region. Local activists and student leaders organized sit-ins and demonstrations across various districts of PoJK, demanding the unconditional release of Ahmed and other detained political activists.
During a sit-in, Khawaja Mujtaba Banday, a student leader from PoJK, voiced his concerns, stating, “We have been highlighting the issue of enforced disappearances for a long time. Our activists advocating for people’s rights are being abducted. We condemn the authorities who use covert means to suppress dissent.”
Banday emphasized the importance of due process, saying, “If anyone is accused of wrongdoing, the courts and constitution of PoJK are here to ensure justice. No constitution allows for the abduction and torture of individuals.” He demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all imprisoned activists from PoJK, including Ahmed, and criticized the administration for its treatment of locals.