Pakistani Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif said that an Indian court’s decision to award a life sentence to Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) separatist leader Yasin Malik, who was charged with terror funding, marks a “black day for Indian democracy.”
Taking to Twitter, he said that India could “imprison Yasin Malik physically” but could not curb the “idea of freedom he symbolises.” He added, “Life imprisonment for valiant freedom fighter will provide fresh impetus to Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.”
Today is a black day for Indian democracy & its justice system. India can imprison Yasin Malik physically but it can never imprison idea of freedom he symbolises. Life imprisonment for valiant freedom fighter will provide fresh impetus to Kashmiris' right to self-determination.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) May 25, 2022
Strongly condemn unjust sentencing of Hurriyat leader Yasin Malik in a sham trial. India can never silence Kashmiris’ voice for freedom and self-determination. Pakistan stands with Kashmiri brothers and sisters, will continue to provide all possible support in their just struggle
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) May 25, 2022
Furthermore, the Pakistani Foreign Office summoned Indian Chargé d’Affaires Suresh Kumar in order to convey the “strongest condemnation and rejection” of Yasin Malik’s conviction in the “suspicious and contrived” case lodged under “draconian” anti-terrorist activities laws. Its statement asserted that India had “misused the judiciary in the outrageous execution of political vendetta against the Kashmiri leadership.”
The office also raised concern about the “denial of fair trial and inhuman incarceration” despite Malik’s worsening health, which Pakistan claims is in complete violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Consequently, the Indian envoy was asked to urge his government to acquit the Hurriyat leader, along with all other Kashmiri leaders, and cease the use of anti-terrorism laws as a “policy tool” to curb the struggle of the Kashmiri people.
National Assembly unanimously passed resolution, expressing solidarity with the family of Hurriyat Leader Yasin Malik who is being persecuted in a fabricated terrorism case by India.#YasinMalik #YasinMalikConvictedInFalseCase #NAResolution pic.twitter.com/kZpJOPZLtk
— National Assembly of Pakistan🇵🇰 (@NAofPakistan) May 24, 2022
Pakistan strongly condemns life sentence awarded to Yasin Malik on fabricated charges. Such oppressive tactics cannot dampen the spirit of people of Kashmir in their just struggle against illegal Indian occupation. We stand with them in quest for self-determination as per UNSCRs
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) May 25, 2022
The Pakistani National Assembly also unanimously passed a resolution asking the Sharif government to take immediate steps on the issue and urge Indian authorities to drop all “fabricated” charges against Yasin Malik and other Kashmiri leaders. Furthermore, the Pakistani Army also condemned the life sentence and vowed to stand with Kashmiris in their struggle for self-determination. A similar condemnation was issued by Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
Yasin Malik was convicted by a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Wednesday. He was arrested in 2019 after the JKLF was banned due to its terrorist activities.
Among other charges, he was accused of conspiring to conduct and funding terrorist activities, funding terror activities, being a part of a terror group or organisation, and waging or attempting to wage a war against India in 2017 via separatist and secessionist activities in the Kashmir Valley. Malik, along with six others, has also been charged with orchestrating an attack on 40 Indian Air Force personnel in Srinagar in 1990.
Terrorist Yasin Malik will be sentenced to death or life imprisonment today in the terror funding case. He is also accused of killing 4 Air Force personnel.#YasinMalik's JKLF, who has been in jail since 2017, was banned by the Modi govt in 2019.#JKLF #TerrorFunding pic.twitter.com/Izt2WOI68w
— Yatharth Sikka (@SikkaYatharth) May 25, 2022
The judge ruled that Malik’s central role in terror financing played a critical role in fomenting violence in the Valley, noting that it is important to recognise terror funding as “one of the gravest offences” that need to be punished “more severely.” The court thus justified the sentence by saying that it was necessary to deter other such actors in the region.
Earlier this month, Malik pled guilty to all charges in the terror funding case. Thereafter, the NIA was instructed to assess his financial assets to determine how much he should be fined. Subsequently, on Wednesday, Malik was awarded two life sentences, though the NIA sought to secure a death sentence. He was also fined Rs. 11 lakhs ($14,200).
The kind of support terrorist #YasinMalik is getting from Pakistan, every single Indian who supported him or respected him is exposed today.
— Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) May 25, 2022
Manmohan singh to Barkha Dutt all of you should be ashamed
Malik claims that he withdrew from all violent activities in 1994 and thereafter immersed himself in politics. His lawyer said, “Yasin said that if I have been involved in any terrorist activity or violence in 28 years, if Indian Intelligence proves this, then I will also retire from politics. I will accept the hanging.”
However, the court said that there was “no reformation” as the Indian government had given him “every platform” to engage in a “meaningful dialogue.” The judge said that Malik continued to engage in violent activities in the Valley, noting his support for protests in 2016 that resulted in 89 instances of stone-pelting against Indian authorities. Furthermore, the NIA submitted documents showing Malik’s communications with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leaders.
Outside the residence of #YasinMalik, shops commercial establishments remain shut ahead of the judgement against #Jammu and #Kashmir Liberation Front leader.
— Azaan Javaid (@AzaanJavaid) May 25, 2022
Heavy presence of armed police. pic.twitter.com/wgqPtPJv5G
Meanwhile, Srinagar witnessed shutdowns on Wednesday in anticipation of the court’s verdict on the sentence. Several shops and businesses were shut down and security forces were deployed to maintain peace and security.
After the verdict, mobile internet services were suspended in Srinagar. Bouts of protests against the sentence were also seen across the city even as security forces patrolled the streets.