PoK locals take to streets against Pakistan's atrocities

Islamabad [Pakistan], Feb. 5 (ANI): Anti Pakistan protests have been taking place across Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) for weeks now, even as Islamabad today observes the annual Kashmir Solidarity Day in support of the Kashmiri people. Enraged at Pakistan's high handedness and denial of basic human rights in the held region, the PoK residents took to the streets to express their ire at the corridors of power in Islamabad. PoK residents claimed that the Pakistani government, via its intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and administration, is committing atrocities on innocent citizens. The demonstrators further alleged that there is no existence of civil liberty and fundamental rights in PoK, as the ISI is calling all the shots in the administration. Those who don't agree with Pakistan's occupation are being persecuted and tortured and authorities are muzzling the voice of people and curbing basic right of freedom of expression, asserted the protesters. Journalists, bloggers, civil rights activists all are targeted for speaking and exposing Pakistan 's real face to the world. An equally dismal situation prevails in Gilgit Baltistan, where recently there was a massive crackdown on journalists. Meanwhile, in his message for Kashmir Day on Saturday, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that Kashmir dispute is the oldest conflict present in United Nation Security Council while reiterating that the region cannot progress until and unless Kashmir dispute is not resolved. (ANI)