The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has sharply criticised Pakistan for what it describes as systematic oppression of people living in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), calling Islamabad’s annual observance of Kashmir Solidarity Day a “mockery” and an exercise in political hypocrisy.

In a statement issued from London, UKPNP leaders accused Pakistan of denying basic political, economic and human rights to residents of PoJK while simultaneously projecting itself as a champion of Kashmiris on international platforms. The party said Pakistan’s rhetoric on Kashmir stands in stark contrast to conditions on the ground in territories under its control.

“Pakistan has no moral authority to speak about the rights of Kashmiris when it suppresses voices, plunders resources and rules PoJK without democratic consent,” the UKPNP said, alleging long-standing political disenfranchisement and administrative exploitation.

The group highlighted what it called the absence of genuine self-governance in PoJK, claiming that key decisions are controlled from Islamabad, while local assemblies function with limited authority. It also accused Pakistani institutions of restricting freedom of expression, targeting activists and curbing political movements that demand autonomy or accountability.

UKPNP leaders further alleged that PoJK’s natural resources, including hydropower and minerals, are exploited without fair compensation to local communities, leaving the region economically underdeveloped despite its strategic importance.

Calling Kashmir Solidarity events “symbolic theatrics,” the party said Pakistan uses the Kashmir issue as a foreign policy tool while ignoring the grievances of people living under its own administration. “Solidarity begins at home,” the statement said, “and Pakistan has consistently failed the people it claims to represent.”

The accusations add to growing international criticism of Pakistan’s governance in PoJK, particularly from diaspora groups and rights activists who argue that the region remains politically marginalised and economically neglected.

Islamabad has consistently rejected such allegations, maintaining that PoJK enjoys constitutional protections and development support. However, critics argue that Pakistan’s control over the region remains tightly centralised, undermining its claims of standing up for Kashmiri rights.

As Pakistan continues to amplify its Kashmir narrative globally, the UKPNP’s remarks underscore an uncomfortable contradiction one that, according to critics, weakens Islamabad’s credibility on an issue it claims as a core diplomatic priority. 

This image is taken from The tribune.