Pok Continues to be a Launching Pad for Terrorists: Exiled LeadersGaneva, Mar 15: Exiled leaders from Pakistan of Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit- Baltistan have blamed Pakistan for sheltering terrorists and using the territory as launching pad for terror activities. “On one side Pakistan says it is fighting a war against terrorism, but on other side LeT terrorists are roaming freely and extremists are rallying every day. Meanwhile, Jaish-e-Mohammad is operating, Jihad Council, the outfit which has claimed the Pathankot attack, these are all benefitted by the state,” Shaukat Ali Kashmiri, Secretary General of United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP). “There are certain Talibani leaders who have the backing of the Pakistan government, so, this is not the right way to fight against terrorism that you adopt the policy of pick and choose, he added. “In our region (PoK), the terrorist infrastructure is still intact and we always say that this region has been used as a launching pad for the terror activities. I firmly believe that terrorists will not make Kashmir free,” he further said. They were speaking at an event of “Human Rights and Terrorism” on the sidelines of the ongoing 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. The activists further voiced their dissent for the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and blamed Pakistan for using the law against secular, civil society activists and nationalist political workers who have been struggling for their fundamental human rights.
