UN OHCHR report on Kashmir receives partial appreciation from Pakistan

Pakistan has welcomed the second report by the Office of UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) on Kashmir, but disagreed over parts of it.
Most importantly, Foreign Office registered its disapproval in a statement yesterday.

Notably, FO opposed equating the human rights violations in India-occupied Kashmir with the prevailing environment in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan.

Most importantly, India occupied Kashmir remains the most militarised zone but AJK and GB remain open to foreign visitors.

Pakistan appreciated the report’s efforts to document the human rights violations in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. But, it rejected some parts.

“We would like to reiterate that there is simply no parallel between the horrendous human rights situation in [IOK] and the prevailing environment in Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan,” FO statement said.

Furthermore, it noted IoK as the most militarised zone in the world. But, AJK and GB remain open to foreign visitors.

Last year, OHCHR had released its first-ever report on Kashmir. That documented wrongdoing by both sides and urging action to reduce long-standing tensions.

UN report on Kashmir