PoK human rights petition filed in UK Parliament amid crackdown
Synopsis
A petition filed in the British Parliament is pushing the UK government to formally confront Pakistan over an alleged crackdown in PoK — killings, curfews, and a communications blackout — as Kashmiri diaspora protests outside the Pakistan High Commission in London escalate into a formal legislative push at Westminster.
Key Takeaways
A petition filed in the British Parliament on 7 July urges the UK government to raise concerns with Pakistan over alleged human rights abuses in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) .
Reports allege dozens of civilians have been killed and injured by Pakistani forces amid a strict curfew and communications blackout in PoK .
Members of the Kashmiri diaspora staged a protest outside the Pakistan High Commission in London on Sunday.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) described the London demonstration as a protest against the 'genocide of innocent Kashmiris.' The PTI UK chapter alleged that Shaukat Nawaz Mir , a top movement leader, is among those arrested in PoK .
A petition has been filed in the British Parliament urging the United Kingdom government to formally raise concerns with Islamabad over alleged human rights abuses and communication blackouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), as unrest in the region continues to intensify. The petition was submitted on 7 July, amid reports that dozens of civilians have been killed and injured by Pakistani forces during an ongoing crackdown.
What the Petition Demands
The petition cites reports of sweeping restrictions on communication services in PoK, which it says have severed contact between residents and their families — including members of the Kashmiri diaspora overseas. It calls on the UK government to advocate for the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and restored access to communication services in the territory.
'Access to communication and information is important for education, livelihoods, community engagement, and the ability to raise concerns peacefully. We call on the UK government to raise these concerns with the government of Pakistan and advocate for the protection of human rights, freedom of expression, and access to communication services,' the petition reads.
Diaspora Protests Outside Pakistan High Commission
The parliamentary petition follows a protest staged by members of the Kashmiri diaspora outside the Pakistan High Commission in London on Sunday, condemning what they described as a violent crackdown by Pakistani forces in PoK. Demonstrators demanded the immediate restoration of human rights in the region.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), in a post on social media platform X on Monday, said a 'massive demonstration' was held in London in solidarity with the committee and to protest what it called the 'genocide of innocent Kashmiris.' The group said the protest sent a clear message to Pakistani forces who, it alleged, believe they can suppress the people's movement 'through power and the barrel of the gun.'
'We British Kashmiris stand shoulder to shoulder with our Kashmiri brothers and will continue to challenge the usurpers,' the JAAC said.
PTI UK Chapter Condemns Military-Led Government
The UK chapter of former Prime Minister Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party also posted on X, stating that overseas Kashmiris participated in a 'massive march' in London against what it termed the 'barbarism' of state forces in PoK.
The PTI UK chapter alleged that the 'illegitimate military-led government in Pakistan has so far killed several protesters, injured hundreds, and arrested many more, including one of the top leaders of the movement, Shaukat Nawaz Mir.' These claims have not been independently verified, and Pakistan has not publicly responded to the specific allegations cited in the petition or by the diaspora groups.
Broader Context
This is not the first time PoK has seen large-scale civil unrest, but the scale of the reported crackdown — including a communications blackout and strict curfew — has drawn renewed international attention. The JAAC has been at the centre of protests in PoK for months, demanding economic relief and political rights. The petition in Westminster represents an escalation of the diaspora's efforts to internationalise the issue, pushing it from street demonstrations into formal legislative channels.
Whether the UK government takes up the matter diplomatically with Islamabad remains to be seen, but the filing marks a significant step in bringing the situation before a Western legislature.
Point of View
A playbook that has historically gained traction in British politics given the size and electoral weight of the UK's South Asian communities. What is notable is that the petition does not ask Britain to take sides on sovereignty — it focuses narrowly on communication rights and human rights, making it harder for the UK government to deflect on grounds of bilateral sensitivity. Pakistan has yet to respond publicly to these specific allegations, and the communications blackout makes independent verification difficult. If the UK government does raise the matter formally with Islamabad, it would mark an unusual moment of Western diplomatic pressure on Pakistan over PoK — a territory that rarely receives the same international scrutiny as Indian-administered Kashmir.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the UK Parliament petition on PoK demand?
The petition urges the UK government to formally raise concerns with Pakistan over alleged human rights abuses, curfews, and communication blackouts in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). It specifically calls for advocacy on freedom of expression and restored access to communication services for PoK residents.
Why are Kashmiri diaspora groups protesting in London?
Members of the Kashmiri diaspora protested outside the Pakistan High Commission in London condemning what they describe as a violent crackdown by Pakistani forces in PoK. Groups including the JAAC allege that dozens of civilians have been killed, hundreds injured, and many arrested during the ongoing unrest.
Who is Shaukat Nawaz Mir?
Shaukat Nawaz Mir is described by the PTI UK chapter as one of the top leaders of the protest movement in PoK. He is among those reportedly arrested by Pakistani authorities during the crackdown, according to the PTI UK chapter's post on X.
What is the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)?
The JAAC is a civil society and protest coalition that has been at the centre of agitation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, demanding economic relief and political rights. It has also coordinated solidarity demonstrations among the Kashmiri diaspora in the United Kingdom.
Has Pakistan responded to the human rights allegations?
Pakistan has not publicly responded to the specific allegations cited in the UK Parliament petition or by diaspora groups, according to available reports. The communications blackout in PoK has also made independent verification of casualty figures and arrests difficult.
