Pro-Pakistan UK MPs' group got money from Imran Khan govt to visit PoK; 'receipt' accessed

In a massive disclosure, it has been revealed that a UK parliamentary group, whose aim is to highlight alleged human rights violations in Kashmir, received 30 lakh PKR ($17,917) from Islamab for a visit to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK). Republic TV has accessed payment receipt showing amount received to group from Islamab.

'A benefit of between 29.7 lakh PKR & 31.2 lakh PKR'

'receipt' regarding visit of all-party parliamentary groups reveals that “All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir” (APPGK), which is chaired by Labour MP Debbie Abrahams, received a benefit of between 29.7 lakh PKR and 31.2 lakh PKR on February 18 from Pakistan government for a visit to PoK between February 18-22.

As its purpose, 'receipt' states - "To support right to self-determination of Kashmiri people through dialogue; to seek support from British parliamentarians; to highlight abuses of human rights in Kashmir; and to seek justice for people re."

Abrahams met Imran Khan

A report in Asian Lite stated that Parliamentary groups are bound to declare benefits and money received worth more than 1,500 pounds on parliamentary register. British MP Debbie Abrahams, who was critical of Indian government's move to end special status of Jammu and Kashmir, was stopped from entering India on February 17. following day, she reached Pakistan and met Imran Khan.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said that her visa was cancelled and she was informed about same 'timely and with due process'. "British MP Debbie Abrahams' e-visa was cancelled so she was not allowed entry in Delhi today (after she arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Emirates flight from Dubai at 9 am). She was informed about it timely and with due process," MHA said in a statement.

RE | 'Come toger to help all those affected': Sachin Pilot tweets on Assam & Bihar floods

In a statement, Abrahams alleged that she was treated like a criminal and prevented by Indian authorities from meeting friends and family in Delhi. 

"Along with everyone else, I presented myself at immigration desk with my documents including my e-visa, h my photograph taken and n official looked at his screen and started shaking his he. n he told me my visa was rejected, took my passport and disappeared for about 10 minutes. When he came back he was very rude and aggressive, shouting at me to 'come with me," she said in a statement.

RE | Full interview: Kangana Ranaut speaks to Arnab, talks about Sushant Singh Rajput case

"I told him not to speak to me like that and was n taken to a cordoned-off area marked as a Deportee Cell. He n ordered me to sit down and I refused. I didn't know what y might do or where else y may take me, so I wanted people to see me," she said. Indian officials h refuted her claim, contending that she h been treated same way as anyone else would have been.

RE | Haryana: Suspended physical trainers stage protest, social distancing goes for a toss

However, this is not first time APPGK has received funds from Islamab. On September 17, 2018, Pakistan High Commission in London gave around 12,000 pounds to group to fund a visit to Islamab and Kashmir between September 17-20 that year.

RE | Ramp up rapid-antigen COVID testing, increase ambulances in districts: UP CM to officials