Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has sparked fresh controversy after describing protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as “enemies like India” while defending the government’s crackdown on demonstrations in the region.
His remarks came as protests intensified across PoK over political representation, economic hardship and governance, with reports of multiple casualties following clashes between protesters and security forces.
Pakistan minister defends action against protesters
Speaking to a local television channel, Asif said the protesters should be treated as enemies of Pakistan, drawing a comparison with India.
“I put the protesters in the same category as India and consider them also as enemies like India,” he said, adding that there was no scope for dialogue with those participating in the demonstrations.
The remarks came after Pakistani security forces allegedly opened fire on a protest march led by the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
According to the organisation, nearly 5,000 people were taking part in a peaceful march from Rawalkot to Muzaffarabad when security personnel allegedly opened fire, killing at least 14 activists and injuring more than two dozen others.
Pakistani authorities, however, claimed the protesters were carrying modern weapons and had attacked security personnel, prompting retaliatory action. These competing claims have not been independently verified.
Protests centred on political rights
The JAAC has been demanding the removal of 12 legislative assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees, arguing that the system undermines the political rights of residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and allows Islamabad-backed parties to influence the region’s government.
The protests have since expanded into a wider movement against inflation, rising prices, electricity shortages and what demonstrators describe as administrative oppression.
According to multiple reports, more than 80 people have been killed since the protests began in June.
India rejects PoK electoral exercise
The latest violence coincided with the first phase of elections for the so-called legislative assembly in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Responding to the developments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the polls as a “cosmetic exercise” aimed at legitimising Pakistan’s illegal occupation of the region.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas under Pakistan’s control, remain an integral and inalienable part of India.
Excerpt: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has compared PoK protesters to India while defending a deadly crackdown that left at least 14 activists dead.