GENEVA: Allegations of a worsening humanitarian and political crisis in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) were raised at the 62nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), where a Kashmiri rights advocate accused Pakistani authorities of imposing severe restrictions, blocking essential supplies, and suppressing dissent.
Mirza Shafiq, Chairman of the Swiss Kashmir Human Rights Commission, alleged that road blockades and heavy security deployments by Pakistani police and Rangers have disrupted access to food, medicines, and other essential goods in the region.
He warned that the restrictions could trigger wider unrest, describing the situation as “cruelty rather than politics.”
Shafiq also said he has been unable to contact his 90-year-old mother for nearly three weeks, claiming that her access to essential medication has been severely affected due to ongoing movement restrictions.
Calling for international intervention, he urged global bodies to facilitate dialogue between the Pakistani government and the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) to ease tensions and prevent further escalation.
He further criticised the reported life imprisonment of human rights activist Dr. Mahrang Baloch, calling the sentence unjust and arguing that she should have been granted a fair trial with full legal representation.
According to his claims, protests have continued for the past 20 days across PoJK, with at least 22 people killed, 576 arrested, and 34 booked under anti-terrorism laws. He also alleged that some bodies of those killed have not been returned to their families.
The claims could not be independently verified at the time of reporting.
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