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Published 11:43 IST, October 27th 2019

VoK Chairman advises Pakistan to first solve its own problems

VOK Chairman Nadeem Nusrat has advised Pakistan to address the problems and human rights violation on its land before talking about the problems in Kashmir

Reported by: Misha Bhatt
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Pakistan's hypocrisy has been once again put to highlight by Voice of Karachi's (VOK) chairman. VOK's chairman, Nadeem Nusrat has advised Pakistan to address the discrimination faced by religious minorities and non-Punjabi ethnic groups on its land. According to Nusrat, instead of crying foul over the Kashmir issue, Pakistan should not overlook the growing problems on its own land.

In his statement, he added that while the world continues to discuss the Kashmir situation, it is very important to bring attention to the plight of religious minorities and non-Punjabi ethnic groups in Pakistan, as they continue to face ever-growing human rights abuses in Pakistan by its Punjabi-dominated security forces.

READ | Flying banner over Statue of Liberty exposes Pak on Baloch atrocities

'Sheer hypocrisy'

Calling Pak's decision to observe October 27 as a 'Black Day' to show solidarity with the Kashmiris as 'sheer hypocrisy', Nadeem Nusrat said that while Pakistan continues to call itself as the leader of the Muslim world, but on the other hand, it chooses to remain silent about the sufferings of Muslims in China, Yemen, Syria and Myanmar.

He also highlighted that this 'selective' demonstration of the so-called 'Muslim brotherhood' shows in length, the true nature of Pakistan's claims. 

"Pakistan is concerned about India's decision to change the constitutional status of Kashmir whereas its constitution is practically suspended, and the military is practically running all the affairs in the shadows of sham democracy. All the fundamental constitutional freedoms -assembly, speech, press, and religion- are barred and human rights abuses are steadily rising," he said.

READ | CPEC to turn Balochistan into Chinese military garrison: Baloch leader

'Pak should pay attention'- VOK Chairman

He has also asked the Pakistani authorities to pay serious attention to the remarks made by the acting US Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who pointed out in a recent U.S. Congressional hearing on South Asia that the terror organisations operating from Pakistan are playing a big role in the unrest in Kashmir valley. Alice also advised the Pakistani government to take firm action against these terror outlets who have been recruiting people in Kashmir and Afghanistan in the name of jihad.
Nadeem Nusrat said that the successive U.S. Administrations, as well as the rest of the world community, have repeatedly demanded Pakistan to eliminate terror organisations from its soil, but a lot of terror groups continue to operate on the Pakistani soil.

READ | NAM Summit: Venkaiah Naidu calls Pakistan an 'epicentre of terrorism'

FATF's warning to Pakistan 

He also further discussed the Financial Action Task Force's (FATF) warning to Pakistan that it could be added to its 'blacklist' if it fails to stop terror financing and support for terrorist groups. The warning should be taken seriously by the Pakistani authorities, as the terror groups pose a threat to the country's international standing, integrity and security.

Nusrat added that it is unfair for Pakistan to talk about and question the media censorship in Kashmir when the Pakistani media continues to remain barred from reporting the facts and the protestor's voices are being suppressed. The situation in Pakistan has reached a point where even the advocates of the military establishment are coming out to admit that Pakistan has become a 'police state'.

"If Pakistan is sincere with Kashmiris, it must first stop killing its non-Punjabi citizens and suppressing their genuine demand for rights. Without putting an end to ongoing suppression of its citizens will make Pakistan's stance on Kashmir sheer hypocrisy and political expediency," the Voice of Karachi chairman concluded. 

READ | Pakistan confirms arrest of activist following US criticism

READ | 'Pakistan's existential threat comes from within': Voice of Karachi

(With inputs from ANI)

09:10 IST, October 27th 2019