Pakistan condemns life sentence of Kashmiri leader Aasiya Andrabi by Indian court

Pakistan on Wednesday condemned the life imprisonment sentence handed to Kashmiri political leader Aasiya Andrabi by a Delhi court, calling the ruling a miscarriage of justice and part of a broader crackdown on dissent in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

In a statement, the Foreign Office said Pakistan “categorically rejects the awarding of a life imprisonment sentence to Aasiya Andrabi, a prominent Kashmiri political leader.”

The ministry also condemned “the harsh 30-year prison sentences imposed on her two associates, Ms Fehmeeda Sofi and Ms Nahida Nasreen.”

According to the statement, the court issued the verdict under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, which Pakistan described as a “draconian law”.

The Foreign Office said the ruling “constitutes a grave miscarriage of justice and reflects the continuing suppression of fundamental rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”

Read: APHC slams Andrabi life sentence

Pakistan views the decision as part of what it called a wider pattern of politically motivated prosecutions aimed at silencing dissenting voices and intimidating those advocating the rights of the Kashmiri people.

“The sentencing raises serious concerns regarding due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations,” the statement said.

The ministry described Andrabi as a longstanding advocate of the Kashmir cause, adding that her conviction and sentencing highlight what it called shrinking space for political expression and civil liberties in IIOJK.

Pakistan said such actions risk exacerbating regional tensions and undermining prospects for peace and stability in South Asia.

Read More: UK Kashmiri leader flags IIOJK abuses

The Foreign Office urged the international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organisations, to take immediate notice of the development and hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK.

Pakistan also called for the protection of the “political, social, and human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to freedom of expression and a fair trial.”

Reaffirming its position, Islamabad reiterated its “unwavering support for the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle for self-determination, as enshrined in relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.”