India Tears Into Pakistan Over Crackdown On Protesters, Calls PoK Elections A 'Complete Farce'

Published 4 August 2026 · politics

India Tears Into Pakistan Over Crackdown On Protesters, Calls PoK Elections A 'Complete Farce' Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 16:57 IST Randhir Jaiswal

India Tears Into Pakistan Over Crackdown On Protesters, Calls PoK Elections A 'Complete Farce' Published By, Last Updated: August 04, 2026, 16:57 IST Randhir Jaiswal said that at least 90 civilians have been killed since June amid a continuing crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Jaiswal said Pakistan must be held accountable and urged the international community to see through what he described as the country's "hypocritical lecturing on human rights." The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday criticised Pakistan for holding elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), terming the exercise a “complete farce." Addressing reporters during a media briefing, MEA Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “This so-called local election in PoK is a complete farce." ‘Such Hollow Exercises Cannot Hide Reality’: MEA On PoK Polls He also highlighted protests by people in the disputed territory, slamming Pakistani authorities over “wanton killings" in the region.

“This so-called local election in POK is a complete farce. The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces," he stated. He noted that “such hollow exercises cannot hide reality." The MEA Spokesperson added that at least 90 civilians have been killed since June amid a continuing crackdown in PoK. He accused the Pakistani establishment of responding to public discontent with “bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression" while attempting to “manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise." ‘Pakistan Must Be Held Accountable’ He said Pakistan must be held accountable and urged the international community to see through what he described as the country’s “hypocritical lecturing on human rights." “Since June this year, at least 90 civilians have lost their lives in the continuing crackdown.

The Pakistani Establishment has answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression, and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise. It must be held accountable, and the world should see through the flimsy veneer of Pakistan’s hypocritical lecturing on human rights," he added. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manish... Read More First Published: August 04, 2026, 16:55 IST News india India Tears Into Pakistan Over Crackdown On Protesters, Calls PoK Elections A 'Complete Farce' Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.