Thousands of people from the British-Kashmiri diaspora assembled outside the Pakistan High Commission in London over the weekend for what organisers called the largest demonstration ever held by overseas Kashmiris in the UK. Spearheaded by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) with support from several diaspora organisations, the protest denounced Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on activists and civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The demonstration took place amid growing unrest in PoK following the recent arrest of JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir along with hundreds of activists. According to JAAC, Pakistani authorities have responded to dissent with widespread arrests, internet shutdowns and security operations after declaring the organisation a banned outfit. The group has also been campaigning for greater political rights while opposing the constitutional framework that allocates 12 legislative seats to refugees residing in mainland Pakistan, arguing that the arrangement weakens the political representation of local residents.
Visuals circulated from the protest showed demonstrators raising slogans including “Ye jo dehshat-gardi hai, is ke peeche wardi hai" (“The terror you see is backed by the uniform"), in a direct criticism of the Pakistan Army. Protesters also chanted against Pakistan’s military leadership, including Field Marshal Asim Munir, and displayed placards accusing authorities of committing human rights violations in PoK.
The march drew support from groups beyond the Kashmiri diaspora. Representatives from Sindhi, Baloch and Pashtun communities joined the demonstration, alleging that Pakistan’s military establishment had carried out rights abuses in their respective regions. Members of the MQM-London faction linked to Altaf Hussain also participated, highlighting the participation of multiple organisations critical of Pakistan’s military establishment.
The protest in London came after JAAC leaders appealed to overseas Kashmiris to take the campaign to the international stage as the crackdown in PoK intensified. Organisers said the objective of the march was to spotlight what they described as political repression, curbs on civil liberties and the detention of political activists before the global community.
The mobilisation abroad coincided with continuing protests across several towns in PoK, where thousands have been demanding the release of detained leaders and calling for an end to what they describe as heavy-handed action by Pakistani authorities. Reports from the region have alleged that security personnel used force against demonstrators, further intensifying public resentment and expanding the movement beyond Pakistan’s borders.
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