Pakistan condemns arrest of Kashmiri leader

Pakistan has condemned the arrest of Kashmiri leader Mr Saeed Ali Shah Geelani, calling it an example of India's suppression …

Pakistan has condemned the arrest of Kashmiri leader Mr Saeed Ali Shah Geelani, calling it an example of India's suppression of human rights.

The head of Jamaat-e-Islami was taken into custody in Srinagar under an anti-terrorism law passed by India's Parliament in March.

In Islamabad, the Foreign Ministry said the arrest "once again exhibits the Indian government's utter disregard for the fundamental rights and liberties of the Kashmiris."

"India has failed to suppress the Kashmiri freedom struggle despite its massive campaign of state-terror and gross human rights violations in occupied Kashmir," the Pakistani statement added.

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"India should come to the negotiating table with Pakistan and the Kashmiri leadership to resolve the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant U.N. resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people," it said.

The statement called on India "to end its repression in Kashmir and immediately release" Geelani "as well as other detained Kashmiri leaders and political workers."

PA