ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office of Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned the life imprisonment awarded to Kashmiri leader Asiya Andrabi, as well as 30-year sentences handed to her associates Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen by a court in Delhi.
In a statement posted on X, the Foreign Office termed the verdict a “grave miscarriage of justice,” saying it reflects the continued suppression of fundamental rights in Jammu and Kashmir under Indian administration. It added that the decision appeared to be part of a broader pattern of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at silencing dissenting voices and intimidating those advocating for the rights of the Kashmiri people.
Asiya Andrabi, founder of the Dukhtaran-e-Millat, was convicted under India’s Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), with prosecutors alleging her involvement in a conspiracy linked to militant activities. Her associates were also sentenced under the same charges.
The Foreign Office raised concerns over due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations, stating that the sentencing highlights a shrinking space for political expression and civil liberties in the region. It warned that such actions could further escalate tensions and undermine prospects for peace and stability in South Asia.
Pakistan urged the international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organisations, to take notice of the development and hold India accountable. It also called for the protection of the Kashmiri people’s political, social, and human rights, including freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.
Reaffirming its stance, Pakistan reiterated its support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
Separately, Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, also condemned the sentencing, terming it an act of “political coercion” aimed at silencing dissent in the region.