Pakistan FO Condemns Sentencing of Asiya Andrabi and Associates

ISLAMABAD: Under the harsh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, a Delhi court sentenced prominent Kashmiri political leader Asiya Andrabi to life in prison and her two associates, Ms. Fehmeeda Sofi and Ms. Nahida Nasreen, to 30 years in prison. Pakistan has categorically rejected these decisions.

“The verdict constitutes a grave miscarriage of justice and reflects the ongoing suppression of fundamental rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK),” the Foreign Office said in a statement released here on Wednesday.

Pakistan claims that the sentence raises grave concerns about due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations and that it is part of a larger pattern of politically motivated prosecutions intended to silence dissenting voices and intimidate those who support the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people.

“Aasiya Andrabi has long been a vocal advocate for the Kashmir cause. Her conviction and harsh sentencing underscore the shrinking space for political expression and civil liberties in IIOJK. Pakistan believes that such actions further exacerbate tensions and undermine prospects for peace and stability in South Asia,” the statement said.

Pakistan has called for the protection of the political, social, and human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to freedom of expression and a fair trial, and urged the international community, including the United Nations and international human rights organizations, to take immediate notice of this development and hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK.

“Pakistan reiterates its unwavering support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions,” it added.