A British national from Peterborough, Mohammad Akhtar, 50, was shot dead on 9 June in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during clashes between security forces and protesters, according to his family. A second British national, Waqas Arif, 38, from Nottingham, has reportedly been held in a prison in Mirpur for more than two months, with UK consular staff stating they have not made direct contact with him.
British national killed in Pakistan-administered Kashmir; second Briton held in regional prison
A British national from Peterborough, Mohammad Akhtar, 50, was shot dead on 9 June in Pakistan-administered Kashmir during clashes between security forces and protesters, according to his family. A second British national, Waqas Arif, 38, from Nottingham, has reportedly been held in a prison in Mirpur for more than two months, with UK consular staff stating they have not made direct contact with him.
Akhtar was staying in the city of Kotli at the time of his death. His cousin Mohammad Saad said Akhtar was not participating in protests but was struck by a stray bullet during security force firing near his residence. Saad said Akhtar sustained a bullet wound to the side of his chest. According to Saad, Akhtar's family did not pursue the matter with British authorities, were unable to register a police complaint in Kashmir, and feared being targeted if the case received public attention.
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) stated it is 'deeply concerned by the situation in parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir' and that ministers and the UK high commissioner in Islamabad have been in contact with their counterparts. The FCDO updated its travel advice on 7 August to advise against all but essential travel to affected areas. According to the report, MP Hamish Falconer raised the situation in Kashmir with counterparts during a visit to Islamabad on 16-17 June in his then-capacity as a Foreign Office minister, and his successor Stephen Doughty has also been in contact with counterparts.
Pakistan's foreign ministry and its high commission in London did not respond to requests for comment.
The unrest is linked to protests organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society group that began demonstrations in the region ahead of a three-phase vote that started on 27 July. Pakistan has designated the JAAC a terrorist organisation and has maintained a communications blackout in the region since 5 June. Pakistani security forces have been accused of fatally shooting at least 30 people during demonstrations; the Pakistani government has rejected those accusations. The JAAC has characterised the elections as a 'sham' held 'at gunpoint' and said authorities have detained scores of its supporters.
Arif was detained in Mirpur following protests on 5 June. His sister Sumera said Pakistani forces and Rangers entered the family home and took her brothers away, and that Arif had not participated in the demonstrations. She said no charges have been filed and that he has not appeared in court. Arif's wife, Varisha Kampulvi, said British authorities have not been able to make direct contact with him. An FCDO email sent to Kampulvi on 26 June stated that consular staff had contacted prison officials who confirmed Arif was in good health, though direct contact with Arif had not been established.
- Pakistan's government has not responded to the specific cases of Akhtar or Arif, and its rationale for Arif's detention is not established in the source
- The number of other British nationals affected by the unrest is not stated
- The current legal status of Waqas Arif's detention or any formal charges are not confirmed
- Independent verification of the circumstances of Akhtar's death, including whether security forces fired on the gathering, is not provided
- The outcome or findings of any FCDO engagement with Pakistani counterparts regarding the two cases are not detailed
- The Pakistani government's overall account of the unrest and the basis for designating the JAAC a terrorist organisation are not elaborated beyond the rejection of shooting accusations
Read the original at The Guardian