Baloch political and human rights activist Aomar Karim has strongly criticised Pakistan’s use of the Kashmir issue in international forums, arguing that Islamabad is attempting to divert global attention from its own human rights record through diplomatic campaigns.

His remarks came in response to an event organised by the Embassy of Pakistan in France on August 5 to mark Youm-e-Istehsal Kashmir, which he described as a “shameful and hollow” exercise designed to deflect scrutiny.

During the Paris event, Pakistan’s Ambassador to France, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains central to Pakistan’s foreign policy. She emphasised that Islamabad would continue diplomatic efforts to mobilise international support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.

Karim, however, countered that Pakistan’s invocation of the Kashmir issue is a deliberate attempt to obscure the deaths of civilians in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, including incidents in Rawalakot.

Karim highlighted that Kashmiri activists held protests outside the Pakistani High Commission in London on the same day, underscoring the growing discontent among communities in PoJK. He further noted that recent elections in the region witnessed widespread public boycott, reflecting deep mistrust of the political process under Pakistani administration.

Raising concerns over press freedom, Karim accused Pakistan’s military establishment of exercising strict control over domestic media. He argued that independent reporting from sensitive regions is severely restricted, citing Al Jazeera English’s coverage of the elections, which pointed to low voter participation.

He also referred to new regulations requiring journalists to obtain official permission before reporting from areas outside designated cities, a measure he said was intended to suppress dissent.

Karim drew parallels with Balochistan, where he claimed authorities enforce a media blackout to prevent international scrutiny of enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings and other human rights violations. He stressed that the same tactics of censorship and intimidation are being applied across multiple regions to silence voices of resistance.

He also referred to the case of Baloch Yakjehti Committee leader Dr Mahrang Baloch, who was detained in March 2025 and later convicted by an anti-terrorism court in Quetta in June 2026.

The conviction was linked to the death of a Frontier Corps soldier during protests in Gwadar in 2024. Karim argued that Pakistan’s military establishment exerts significant influence over the judicial process, undermining the independence of courts and perpetuating injustice against activists.

Karim’s statement reflects a broader critique of Pakistan’s strategy of using the Kashmir narrative as a diplomatic shield while ignoring widespread abuses within its own territories. His remarks underline the growing frustration among Baloch and Kashmiri activists who accuse Islamabad of hypocrisy in its international campaigns.

ANI