A British national was allegedly killed during protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while another remains detained in the region…reports Asian Lite News Desk
Pakistani security forces allegedly shot dead a British national during protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), while another British citizen has remained in prison in the region for more than two months, according to media reports.
The cases have raised concerns over the treatment of British nationals with family ties to PoK amid a crackdown on protests demanding economic and electoral reforms.
The deceased, 50-year-old Mohammad Akhtar, a resident of Peterborough in the UK, was killed on June 9 after Pakistani security forces opened fire on protesters, The Guardian reported, citing his family.
Akhtar had been staying in Kotli city in PoK, close to areas where clashes broke out between protesters and security forces. His family said he was not participating in the demonstrations and was struck by a stray bullet during the firing.
“He wasn’t taking part in protests, but the demonstrations were happening close to his house. There was firing by the forces that day, and he was hit by a stray bullet. There was a bullet wound on the side of his chest,” The Guardian quoted Akhtar’s cousin, Mohammad Saad, as saying.
According to Saad, Akhtar’s children decided not to approach British authorities over the death. The family was also unable to file a police complaint in PoK and feared that pursuing the matter could expose them to further risks.
The report said the circumstances surrounding Akhtar’s death were among previously unreported details highlighting the impact of the unrest on British nationals with familial connections to the region.
The protests in PoK have emerged as one of the biggest challenges faced by Pakistani authorities in recent years, with clashes reportedly leaving dozens of people dead.
Separately, 38-year-old British national Waqas Arif from Nottingham has been detained in Mirpur city in PoK since following protests on June 5.
His family has maintained that Arif did not participate in the demonstrations. His sister, Sumera, said Pakistani security forces and Rangers entered their home and detained her brothers after two of them had joined the protests.
“Waqas was not involved in any kind of protests. But since my other two brothers were involved and they went for the protests with everybody else, the Pakistani forces along with the Rangers came into my house, and they took my brothers away,” The Guardian quoted her as saying.
Sumera said the family had been unable to establish a formal charge against Arif and claimed he had not been brought before a court.
“There is no charge. He hasn’t done anything. This is my brother, but I think there are thousands of other brothers like him from everywhere who they have put in (prison) so they can minimise the protest power … they have not even been taken to court,” she said.
The family has sought British government intervention for Arif’s release, with the case highlighting concerns over British nationals caught up in the unrest.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said it was closely monitoring the situation and expressed grave concern over conditions in PoK.
“FCDO ministers and the UK high commissioner in Islamabad are in touch with their counterparts, and UK travel advice was updated on 7 August and continues to advise against all but essential travel to affected areas,” it stated.
The developments come as concerns remain over the security situation in PoK and the impact of the unrest on civilians and people with links to the UK.
