JKNPP retaliates, says Pakistan needs to explain Baloch rights violations

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) leader Harsh Dev Singh has said Pakistan has a lot of explanation to do on the human rights violations taking place in its largest province Balochistan, after Baloch Republican Party (BRP) activists praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held up his pictures and Indian flags while making references to Islamabad's mistreatment of Balochistan.

"Pakistan will have to do a lot of explaining with regard to the human rights violations that are taking place in Balochistan. The people are out on the roads, they are protesting against Pakistan and they are appreciating the positive support given to them by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the government," Harsh Dev Singh told ANI.

The BRP activists holding up pictures of the Indian Prime Minister, late Baloch leader Akbar Bugti and his grandson Brahumdagh Bugti, raised slogans against Islamabad and also burnt Pakistan's national flag.

Talking about the incident, Singh said such protests should serve as an eye opener for Pakistan.

"It has to do a lot of explaining to do; not to just to its people, but also to the international community as well. It is high time for Pakistan to mend its ways and stop its interference in Kashmir. Its role in PoK and Balochistan has been condemned by no less than the U.S." he added.

On Washington's concern over human rights violations being committed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Singh said Islamabad stands amply exposed now.

"The United States has also said that lots of human rights violations are taking place in Balochistan and PoK, and this should be taken seriously by the world community as well. Pakistan amply stands exposed because of the statement made by United States as well," he added.

The United States State Department, expressing concern over human rights violations in PoK, has maintained that it has always been urging parties in Pakistan to settle their differences "peaceably and through a valid political process.