Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Pakistan warns of genocide in Kashmir, expects no talks with India

Pakistan's foreign minister told the United Nations human rights forum on Tuesday (11) that India's military presence in the disputed Muslim-majority territory of Kashmir raised the spectre of genocide.

India, which stripped Kashmir of its autonomy on August 5th, in response accused Pakistan of "offensive rhetoric..of false allegations and concocted charges" against it.


India and Pakistan both rule parts of the Himalayan region while claiming it in full. They have fought two wars over it and India's move to impose direct rule on its side of the de facto border has reignited hostility.

Pakistani foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi evoked past and current atrocities in Europe, Africa and Asia when he addressed the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

"The forlorn, traumatised towns, mountains, plains and valleys of Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir reverberate today, with the grim reminders of Rwanda, Srebrenica, the Rohingya, and the pogrom of Gujarat," he said.

"I shudder to mention the word genocide here, but I must... The Kashmiri people in the occupied territory - as a national, ethnic, racial and religious group of people - face grave threats to their lives, way of living and livelihoods from a murderous, misogynistic and xenophobic regime."

Later India's vice minister for foreign affairs , Vijay Thakur Singh, took the floor at the forum to hit back.

"The world is aware that this fabricated narrative comes from the epicentre of global terrorism, where ring-leaders are sheltered for years," she said.

"This country conducts cross-border terrorism as a form of alternate diplomacy," she added, without naming Pakistan.

India flooded the Kashmir valley with troops, restricted movements and cut off communication as prime minister Narendra Modi withdrew special rights for the region on August 5th. Mobile and internet connections have been cut off ever since.

Singh said the Jammu and Kashmir civil administration was ensuring basic services and essential supplies, and restrictions were being eased.

"Temporary preventive measures were needed to ensure security in the face of credible threats of cross-border terrorism," she said.

India has battled separatist militants in its part of Kashmir since the late 1980s, accusing Muslim Pakistan of supporting them. Pakistan denies that, saying it only offers political support to the people of Kashmir.

Qureshi, speaking to reporters, said: "I do not see in the present environment any possibility of a bilateral engagement with India."

He urged UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres and the Security Council to help defuse tensions.

"Today 8 million people are in prison, deprived of every political and civil liberty. The world cannot remain silent," he said.

He said that if India used some pretext to attack Pakistan, Islamabad would respond.

"And we will respond with force, and you never know, we could be into an accidental war," he said.

Indian and Pakistani forces regularly trade fire across a 740-km (466-mile) Line of Control, which is the de facto border.

More For You

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less
Diwali

This year’s Diwali event will still see Belgrave Road continue to host what is left of the festival. (Representational image)

Major changes announced for Leicester’s Diwali celebrations amid safety fears

LDRS

THIS year’s annual Diwali celebrations will be stripped back amid public safety fears. Leicester City Council has said there will be no fireworks or stage entertainment as part of major changes announced for the event.

Cossington Street Recreation Ground will also not be used for the festivities, the council has revealed. The green space previously was the location for the main stage and the Diwali Village with its food stalls, funfair rides, fashion and arts. The annual fire garden display was also based there, offering “a peaceful oasis amid the festive excitement”.

Keep ReadingShow less
Corbyn- Zarah Sultana

Zarah Sultana with Jeremy Corbyn during a protest outside Downing Street demanding the UK government to stop all arms sales to Israel. (Photo: X/@zarahsultana)

X/@zarahsultana

Zarah Sultana leaves Labour, plans new party with Corbyn and independents

FORMER Labour MP Zarah Sultana has announced her resignation from the party and plans to launch a new political party alongside ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and other independent MPs and activists.

Sultana, who represents Coventry South, lost the Labour whip last year for supporting the removal of the two-child benefit cap.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hasmukh Shah

The certificate was presented to Shah at the Welsh parliament by Anita Bailey, Home Office Director Windrush Unit.

Hasmukh Shah receives UK minister’s certificate of appreciation

A prominent Asian doctor has been recognised for his services to the community. Prof Hasmukh Shah has received a certificate of appreciation for his contribution and services to the United Kingdom.

The certificate was issued by Seema Malhotra MP, UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, as part of the Windrush Cymru Elders and Race Council Cymru’s Windrush work in Wales.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai-Lama-Getty

Dalai Lama looks on as offerings presented by Buddhist followers are laid on a table during a Long Life Prayer offering ceremony at the Main Tibetan Temple in McLeod Ganj, near Dharamsala, India, on June 30, 2025.(Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

India says Dalai Lama alone can decide successor

A SENIOR Indian minister has said that only the Dalai Lama and the organisation he has established have the authority to decide his successor as the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism. The comment runs contrary to China’s long-standing position on the matter.

The Dalai Lama, who fled to India in 1959 following a failed uprising against Chinese rule, said on Wednesday that after his death he would be reincarnated as the next spiritual leader, and that only the Gaden Phodrang Trust would be able to identify his successor. He had earlier said that the next Dalai Lama would be born outside China.

Keep ReadingShow less