'Desperate Attempts To Cover Up Own Failings': India Dismisses Khawaja Asif's Remark On PoK Protest
'Desperate Attempts To Cover Up Own Failings': India Dismisses Khawaja Asif's Remark On PoK Protest Published By, Last Updated: June 23, 2026, 16:59 IST The
'Desperate Attempts To Cover Up Own Failings': India Dismisses Khawaja Asif's Remark On PoK Protest Published By, Last Updated: June 23, 2026, 16:59 IST The MEA said the protests in PoK stemmed from Pakistan's long-standing policies of economic exploitation. Rapid Read The MEA said that Pakistan's response to the protests had involved "extreme police brutality", blocking of essential aid and supplies, internet shutdowns and the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. India on Friday rejected remarks by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who blamed New Delhi for the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), saying the allegations were a desperate attempt to divert attention from Islamabad’s own failures and human rights abuses. Responding to Asif’s comments, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the claims as “fabricated" and said the unrest in PoK stemmed from Pakistan’s long-standing policies of economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression in territories under its “illegal occupation".
“The fabricated claims made by Pakistan’s defence minister are desperate attempts to cover up its own failings and divert attention from its human rights abuses," Jaiswal said. He said that Pakistan’s response to the protests had involved “extreme police brutality", blocking of essential aid and supplies, internet shutdowns and the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians. “Several people lost their lives. We expect the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses," the MEA spokesperson said. PoK Protests Tensions in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have escalated sharply following a prolonged shutdown and a sweeping security crackdown by the authorities, with the region remaining on edge ahead of legislative elections scheduled for July 27. The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has issued a fresh ultimatum to Islamabad, demanding the withdrawal of anti-terrorism bans and the release of hundreds of detained activists.
The latest unrest began earlier this month after violent clashes in Rawalakot left at least 11 people dead, including four police officers, when security forces moved to stop a planned “long march" towards Muzaffarabad. Following the clashes, authorities banned the JAAC, slapped sedition charges against its leadership and suspended internet services in major urban centres, including Mirpur and Kotli. The immediate trigger for the ongoing crisis is the July 27 legislative elections. The JAAC and several local groups are demanding the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in mainland Pakistan, arguing that the quota allows Islamabad to influence local governance. However, the PoK Supreme Court recently ruled that the seats are constitutionally protected. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Saurabh Verma Senior Sub-editor Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Chief Sub-editor.
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