Pakistan's Human Rights Council (HRC) on Saturday, 27 June publicly condemned Defence Minister Khawaja Asif after he claimed during a television interview that residents of Rawalakot and Mirpur in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are 'not proper Kashmiris' — remarks that triggered sharp backlash from rights groups, diaspora communities, and PoK's own political leadership.

What the Rights Body Said

The HRC issued a formal condemnation, stating that 'individuals in state positions must exercise utmost responsibility, caution, and respect in matters of this nature.' The council called on the Pakistan government to issue an appropriate clarification and take concrete steps to prevent such statements from recurring.

PoK Leader Hits Back at Asif

Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, a political leader from PoK, took to social media platform X to deliver a pointed rebuttal. 'People of Jammu and Kashmir do not need validation of their identity from the Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif or anybody else for that matter. Boomers such as him and their antics are creating divisions instead of bringing people closer,' Rathore wrote.

Rathore further alleged that Asif, upon noticing the backlash for his 'faux pas', had begun 'covering up by finding faults' in PoK's governance. 'Sir, ask your higher-ups, and they'll tell you how well we've governed. A more dignified act would be to address the elephant in the room and apologise for your original remarks instead of scapegoating our governance,' Rathore added.

Broader Crisis in PoK

The controversy over Asif's remarks unfolds against a deeply troubled backdrop. Protests have been intensifying across PoK, where, according to reports, dozens of civilians were killed during a crackdown by Pakistani security forces. Several international human rights organisations, activists, and members of the Kashmiri diaspora have condemned the alleged killings and called for international scrutiny of the situation.

Kashmiri Diaspora Protests in London

Earlier in the week, members of the Kashmiri diaspora in the United Kingdom staged a demonstration outside the British Parliament in London before marching to 10 Downing Street, the official residence of the British Prime Minister. Protesters demanded that the UK government intervene over alleged food blockades and civilian killings in PoK by Pakistani forces.

One protester alleged that food supplies and medicines were being blocked from reaching several areas in PoK. 'People are dying because of the hunger. People dying before they can reach the hospital. It's totally unacceptable. You have more than a million Kashmiris living in the UK. You have responsibility here. You need to intervene for the sake of humanity,' the protester said, directly appealing to the British government to engage Pakistani authorities.

What Happens Next

With the HRC demanding a formal government clarification and international pressure mounting, Islamabad faces growing calls to account for both the minister's remarks and the reported crackdown in PoK. Whether the Pakistan government responds — and how — will be closely watched by diaspora groups and rights bodies alike.