In an exclusive interview with Geneva Times, Habib-ur-Rehman, Secretary for International Affairs of the Jammu Kashmir Peoples National Party (JKPNP), discussed political freedoms, human rights concerns, and his vision for the future of Jammu and Kashmir, while calling for urgent international attention to developments in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.
This exclusive interview of JKPNP leader Habib-ur-Rehman is presented to the readers of Kashgil News courtesy of his office and with special thanks to Geneva Times, aimed at raising awareness about the ground reality and human rights situation in the region. Kashgil News
The interview, conducted in Geneva by three female journalists from Geneva Times, examined reported restrictions on political activity, the treatment of protesters, accountability for alleged human rights violations, democratic participation, and the role Rehman believes the United Nations and the international community should play.
Rehman is a writer, political activist, and human rights defender from Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir. His political work focuses on democracy, political rights, and human rights across the wider Jammu and Kashmir region.
“The Shrinking Space for Peaceful Political Expression”
Asked to assess the current situation, Rehman described developments in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir as “deeply concerning,” arguing that demands concerning economic justice, political rights, and accountability had developed into a wider human rights crisis.
“What concerns me most is the apparent normalization of the use of force against civilians and the shrinking space for peaceful political expression,” he told Geneva Times.
Some of the broader developments raised during the interview have been independently documented. On June 5, 2026, authorities designated the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) as a proscribed organization under the region’s Anti-Terrorism Act and public order laws. Amnesty International subsequently reported an internet shutdown, mass arrests, and deadly use of force during the crackdown, while calling the proscription disproportionate and unlawful.
Regional authorities, however, have presented a sharply different account. Their official notifications accused the JKJAAC of activities prejudicial to peace and security and creating disorder, maintaining that security measures were necessary to protect public order and citizens.
Questions Over Force, Arrests, and Communications
The Geneva Times journalists pressed Rehman to identify concrete developments that he believed deserved international scrutiny rather than relying solely on broader political allegations.
He pointed to the proscription of the JKJAAC, arrests, restrictions on communications, and reported use of lethal force against demonstrators.
In late July, Amnesty International separately called for a “prompt, independent, and transparent investigation” following reports that security forces had used lethal force against protesters in Rawalakot. The organization also warned that restrictions on internet and mobile services impeded independent verification of events on the ground.
Rehman argued that communication restrictions were particularly significant because they made independent reporting and verification extremely difficult.
What Should the Authorities Do?
Asked what responsibility he believed Pakistan and the authorities in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir carried, Rehman outlined several key measures:
- Independent Investigations: Transparent and independent inquiries into deaths and allegations of excessive force.
- Release of Detainees: Due process for detainees and the immediate release of individuals held solely for peaceful political expression or assembly.
- Lifting Restrictions: Reduced restrictions on internet access, journalism, and peaceful political activity.
- Credible Information: Reliable information regarding people killed, injured, detained, or reported missing.
- Political Dialogue: Meaningful dialogue involving civil society, political parties, women, young people, and affected communities.
“The objective should not be revenge or further confrontation,” Rehman said. “The objective should be accountability, justice, and restoration of public trust.”
Authorities have disputed allegations surrounding the protest movement and attributed responsibility for violence and deaths to the proscribed JKJAAC leadership. In June, senior regional officials stated there would be no blanket amnesty for its leaders and that legal proceedings would continue.
A Political Vision — and a Question About Dissent
The interview moved beyond allegations against the authorities to challenge Rehman on his own political vision and how a future political arrangement advocated by him would protect people who disagreed with his position.
Rehman responded that his vision was based on allowing the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their political future through peaceful and democratic means.
“Democracy is not simply about achieving the political outcome that I or my party believe in,” he said. “Democracy also means protecting the rights of people who disagree with us.”
He cited freedom of expression, political association, religion and belief, press freedom, peaceful assembly, equal citizenship, and political participation as principles that must apply irrespective of political position.
“If we demand democratic rights for ourselves, we must be prepared to defend those same rights for our political opponents,” he emphasized.
From Kashmir to Geneva
The final part of the interview focused on why Rehman had brought his concerns to Geneva and what he expected from international institutions.
Rather than limiting his appeal to expressions of concern, Rehman called for continued international monitoring, independent scrutiny of alleged violations, and support for political dialogue. He argued that human rights conditions in Jammu and Kashmir require sustained scrutiny, rather than attention confined only to periods when violence escalates.
“We may have different political visions, but we share a fundamental interest in human dignity, peace, and the right to live without fear,” Rehman concluded. “Our demand is not for silence from those who disagree with us. Our demand is for a political environment where every voice — including a dissenting voice — can be heard peacefully.”
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