Pakistan urges world, UN to stop India from bloodshed in IoK
India's denial to offer Friday prayers to Kashmiris is "deplorable, violation of international laws", the Foreign Office says
July 21, 2017
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday urged world fraternity and the United Nations (UN) to impress upon India to immediately stop bloodshed of innocent Kashmiris in India-occupied Kashmir (IoK), according to the Foreign Office of Pakistan (FO).
In response to India's denial to offer Friday prayers to Kashmiris in occupied valley, Nafees Zakaria, FO spokesman, said the restriction was "in violation of relevant international laws on religious freedom and fundamental rights" and termed it "deplorable".
On Friday, Indian forces martyred a young Kashmiri and wounded several others as they opened fire on peaceful protesters in Budgam district.
The 25-year-old youth, Tanveer Ahmed Wani, was martyred and many others were wounded when Indian Army fired upon the protesters in Beerwah area of the district.
Zakaria condemned use of brute force on peaceful Kashmiri protestors by India, causing martyrdom of Tanveer Ahmed and injuries to several others.
Indian police also arrested Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Muhammad Yasin Malik, along with several party leaders and activists at Dalgate in Srinagar when he was leading a march towards the UN office at Sonawar, where a sit-in protest was to be held.
Authorities sealed Jamia Masjid, Srinagar, and disallowed Juma prayers at the mosque. This was the fifth consecutive Friday when weekly prayers were not allowed at the historic mosque.
The outer gate of the Jamia Masjid was padlocked early today and Indian police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in strength in the area to prevent people from reaching the worship place.
All roads leading to the mosque were sealed and concertina wires were erected at the entry and exit points, witnesses said.
