Pakistan says envoys’ visit to Kashmir ‘smokescreen’

India’s move to organize a visit by foreign ambassadors to Kashmir is a “smokescreen” aimed at diverting the world’s attention from its alleged human rights violations in the disputed region, Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry has said.

In a statement on Monday, it said such guided tours want to create “a false impression of ‘normalcy'” in the Himalayan valley, which is held by India and Pakistan in parts but claimed by both in full.

The nuclear arch-rivals have fought two wars over the Muslim-majority state. On Aug. 5, 2019, New Delhi scrapped its autonomy, dividing it into two federally-administered territories.

Simultaneously, it locked the region down, detained thousands of people including politicians, imposed movement restrictions and enforced a communications blackout. Earlier this month, 4G mobile internet services were restored after 18 months.

The spokesperson said the reportedly upcoming visit would mean “nothing if there is no access to all the areas and possibility to freely interact with Kashmiri people and the civil society in an atmosphere free of intimidation,” including meeting with pro-freedom leadership.

“The world can clearly see that the illegal and inhuman military siege continues for over 18 months now,” the statement said.

“Extra-judicial killings of Kashmiris in fake ‘encounters,’ and staged ‘cordon-and-search’ operations have become rampant; arbitrary detentions, enforced disappearances and custodial torture have increased; Kashmiri leadership remain incarcerated; journalists, human rights activists and international human rights organizations are being harassed; and the Kashmiris’ fundamental rights, including the right to express themselves continue to be denied.”

India has organized at least two similar visits since revoking the state’s special status.

Pakistan demanded of India to allow the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, UN observers, the OIC’s Independent Permanent Human Rights Commission, and international media, among others, to visit Kashmir, and assess the situation on the ground.