London: MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain on Sunday called for an immediate halt to the use of force against residents in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (PoK), warning that continued military action could threaten Pakistan’s internal stability and long-term existence.
Addressing party workers and supporters worldwide via the social media platform TikTok, Hussain said the ongoing use of force in Kashmir must stop without delay. He warned that if Pakistan continues what he described as military action and oppression in the region, it could have serious consequences for the country itself.
“The use of force in Kashmir should be stopped immediately. If Pakistan does not stop military action in Kashmir and continues oppression there, Pakistan’s very existence could also be at risk,” he said.
In a statement released after his address, Hussain claimed that residents from Rawalakot and other parts of PoK had shared accounts of alleged abuses by Pakistani security forces. He strongly condemned these actions and expressed solidarity with the people of the region.
He argued that the people of the area have faced injustice for decades and asserted that their political future should be decided by Kashmiris themselves. He further claimed that, in his view, Azad Jammu and Kashmir is not constitutionally part of Pakistan, alleging that Islamabad exercises control over the territory despite its separate constitutional framework.
“It is a recognised fact that, constitutionally and legally, Azad Kashmir is not part of Pakistan,” the statement said, adding that Pakistan itself had previously made similar legal arguments in court proceedings.
Hussain also alleged that residents in PoK are being denied fundamental rights and that peaceful protests are being met with force. He claimed that paramilitary forces, including Rangers and Frontier Corps personnel, had been deployed to suppress demonstrations, and that internet shutdowns and movement restrictions had been imposed in several areas.
Describing the alleged crackdown in strong terms, Hussain compared the situation to “atrocities” and called for an immediate end to what he termed excessive use of force.
“I and my MQM strongly condemn the oppression inflicted on Kashmiris. We fully support their legitimate demands and call upon those in authority to address their grievances and restore their rights,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as a broader pattern of state repression, alleging that similar policies had contributed to unrest in Balochistan and displacement in tribal regions, as well as resentment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa due to military operations and security actions.
Appealing to Pakistan’s leadership, he urged restraint and dialogue, warning that continued reliance on force could deepen internal instability.
“For God’s sake, stop this oppression against your own people. Pakistan has already been divided by injustice and oppression; do not repeat the mistakes of the past,” he said.
The remarks come amid reports of widespread protests in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir over governance issues, economic hardship, rising inflation, high electricity costs, and demands related to reserved legislative seats. Local media reports have also suggested that paramilitary deployments to control demonstrations have led to clashes, casualties, and rising tensions in several areas, including Rawalakot, prompting calls for independent investigations.