ISLAMABAD, June 27: Pakistan has condemned India’s decision to ban Dukhtaran-i-Millat (Daughters of the Nation), a representative organization of Kashmiri women seeking an end to the Indian occupation of the state of Jammu and Kashmir by peaceful means.

Dukhtaran-i-Millat, established in 1981, has been banned under the draconian law the Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA).

A statement issued by the foreign office said: “It is a matter of grave concern for the government of Pakistan that the Indian forces continue their efforts to arrest Ms Aasiya Andrabi, head of the Dukhtaran-i-Millat and other leaders of the freedom movement.”

The foreign office said Pakistan calls upon the Indian government to respect the fundamental human rights of the Kashmiri people and to put an end to their brutal suppression.

India should also immediately release APHC leaders Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Yasin Malik, Abdul Aziz Sheikh, and other Kashmiri political activists, the foreign office said.