From 'enemies' to 'patriots': Pak's U-turn on PoK protesters amid global pressure

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's PML-N government appears to be shifting its stance towards protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the majority of demonstrators as "patriotic" and expressing willingness to engage with them. This change in tone comes after earlier harsh rhetoric from the government, with Defence Minister Khawaja Asif likening the protesters to India and ruling out talks with them.

The shift in position may be in response to global pressure and the PML-N's efforts to consolidate power following elections marked by violence and allegations of rigging. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the group leading the protests, has accused security forces of killing over 40 people, including women and children, and has called for dialogue with the government.

The situation has drawn concern from international bodies, including Amnesty International and the United Nations, which have called for accountability in the face of reported violence against peaceful protesters.

Brief written by urgent.news from Times of India's own syndicated text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.