British Lawmakers Demand Pakistan End Kashmir Violence

More than 50 British parliamentarians, including members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, have called for immediate diplomatic intervention following a security crackdown in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The lawmakers reported that Pakistani security services used lethal force against protesters, resulting in at least 30 deaths this week.

Imran Hussain, Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Kashmir, led a letter to the UK Foreign Secretary urging the government to use diplomatic channels to ensure a peaceful resolution and protect human rights. Other members of Parliament, including Zarah Sultana and Liam Byrne, demanded the restoration of communications and independent investigations into human rights abuses. Byrne specifically called for urgent talks with the High Commission of Pakistan in London to stop the violence.

Concurrent with the parliamentary actions, protesters in London marched from Cumberland Gate to the Pakistani High Commission at Lowndes Square to demand justice for those affected by the crackdown. Lawmakers continue to press the UK Foreign Office to make high-level representations to the government of Pakistan to end the blockade and stop the use of lethal force.