Pakistan urges release of Kashmiri political prisoners, vows to protect water rights

Pakistan on Friday called for the immediate release of all Kashmiri political prisoners, human rights defenders and civil society activists detained in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), while also reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

Addressing the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi expressed deep concern over what he termed politically motivated cases against Kashmiri leaders, including Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik.

He said India was suppressing legitimate Kashmiri political voices through arbitrary detentions, harsh laws and “sham trials,” accusing New Delhi of misusing its judiciary to pursue a political vendetta against the Kashmiri leadership.

The spokesperson urged the international community, including the United States, to play a constructive role in pressing India to end human rights abuses and release all political detainees.

He reiterated that the Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains an internationally recognised issue on the agenda of the United Nations.

Andrabi said Pakistan would continue raising the issue of Kashmir and human rights violations at international forums, including the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other human rights bodies.

Responding to a question regarding house demolitions in IIOJK, he alleged that the indigenous Bakarwal community was facing displacement and land occupation aimed at altering the demographic composition of the region and exploiting its natural resources.

On the Indus Waters Treaty disputes relating to the Ratle and Kishanganga hydropower projects, Andrabi welcomed the supplemental award issued by the Court of Arbitration last week.

He said the ruling reaffirmed Pakistan’s long-standing position that the treaty places substantive limits on India’s water-control capabilities over the western rivers.

According to the spokesperson, the award clarified that pondage for run-of-river projects must be justified on the basis of operational needs, hydroelectric and hydraulic conditions, power system requirements and treaty-mandated information.

He added that the decision strengthened Pakistan’s review rights by affirming India’s obligation to provide sufficient information to establish treaty compliance.

“Pakistan remains firmly committed to the Indus Waters Treaty, its dispute resolution mechanisms and the procedural resolution of water-related issues,” he said, adding that India’s claim of holding the treaty in abeyance had no legal basis.

He stressed that Pakistan would continue to protect its rights through lawful, diplomatic and treaty-based mechanisms and “will not compromise on a single drop of water due to it under the treaty.”

Commenting on ties with Afghanistan, Andrabi said Afghan territory was being used to plan and execute terrorist attacks inside Pakistan.

He alleged that the Afghan Taliban administration was either complicit in such attacks or turning a blind eye to militant activities.

The spokesperson said Pakistan’s key demand was that Afghan soil should not be used for terrorism against Pakistan, adding that bilateral relations would remain at a standstill unless Islamabad received written assurances from Kabul on the matter.