Prime Minister Imran Khan is expected to address the nation on the Kashmir issue at 5:30pm today, said Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information (SAPM) Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan.
While talking to reporters in Islamabad, the SAPM said that the premier will “take the nation into confidence” over events in occupied Kashmir and will also issue a policy statement. She further said that the “world’s conscience must be shaken” and urged the media to report on the plight of occupied Kashmir’s residents.
Pm will address the Nation today on the issue of Kashmir
— Firdous Ashiq Awan (@Dr_FirdousPTI) August 26, 2019
The premier’s speech comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump met at the G7 in France today.
“We spoke last night about Kashmir, prime minister [Modi] really feels he has it under control,” said Trump while talking to media. Modi, meanwhile, said all issues between India and Pakistan are bilateral, adding: “I’m confident that we can discuss our problems and solve them together.”
Since India’s decision to strip Kashmiris of their seven-decade-long special autonomy through a rushed presidential order on August 5, the premier has repeatedly said that the Indian government’s policy in the Himalayan region is in line with the “ideology” of the Hindu nationalist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) party — said to be a parent organisation of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — that believes in “Hindu supremacy”.
He has also alerted the international community to a possible “false flag operation” by the Indian leadership to “divert attention from massive human rights violations” in occupied Kashmir.
A communications blackout and heavy restrictions on movement imposed by the Indian authorities from the eve of New Delhi’s decision to revoke Article 370 entered their 22nd day today.
However, the turning of the restive region into a fortress of barricades and barbed wire has not prevented protests and clashes with security forces taking place. Police on Monday said stone-throwing protestors killed a truck driver in occupied Kashmir.
In a demonstration in Anantnag district on Sunday protestors hurled stones at a truck that they believed to be a military vehicle. The 42-year-old driver was struck on the head and died, police said.
The Press Trust of India news agency said two men had been arrested over the incident.
India says no civilian has died from police action since August 5. But residents have said three people have been killed, including a young mother who choked after police fired tear-gas canisters into her home.
Multiple hospital sources have told AFP at least 100 people had been hurt during the lockdown, some with firearm injuries.
