ISLAMABAD, July 20: Citizens of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have expressed bitterness for being belittled by the Pakistan government in peace talks with India.

This was stated by Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) secretary-general Hina Jilani at the conclusion of the commission's fact-finding mission to Azad Kashmir.

In this regard, a briefing on the preliminary conclusion and findings was held at a local hotel here on Tuesday and was organized by the HRCP's Centre for Democratic Development.

In the research based on meetings with the members of the press, civil society, judiciary and the general public, the findings by the HRCP revealed that Azad Kashmiris toiled in miserable conditions, contrary to the government claims that the situation in AJK was improving.

The meeting observed that democratic development in AJK was badly affected due to exchange of fire across borders between India and Pakistan. The HRCP secretary-general claimed that the views of the citizens of Azad Kashmir had neither been accommodated nor considered by the government, leading to disrespect of the government and politics.

Speaking of the lamentable situation in Neelam valley, she said: "the valley is a glaring example of death and destruction." Residents along the Line of Control (LoC) have a devastating story to tell, as the valley came directly in the line of Indian shelling, she added.

Ms Jilani said despite the ceasefire, loss of life continued because of land mines littered all over the region. Nonetheless, the current ceasefire has been warmly welcomed by the Kashmiris and they strongly support the peace talks, she added. However, she said, the federal government had not allocated funds for the region's rehabilitation.

The HRCP official said Kashmiris had been denied the royalty from the Mangla Dam and did not receive any benefits from foreign remittances. "There is total dependence on government jobs for survival as commercial and industrial development has been non-existent.

"The degree of development in the region is adequate according to the government, but the Kashmiris feel differently and disagree with this claim", she further said.

Addressing rights of women in AJK, Ms Gilani said violation of women rights was less when compared with neighbouring areas. "But, independently, problems of women were acute and many," she added.

The HRCP secretary-general said domestic violence was visible and forced marriages were also common. There are no opportunities for women and they are denied participation in the decision-making processes, she added.

Referring to health issues and the education sector, Ms Jilani sketched a dismal picture, stating that "the health sector lack adequate facilities as there are not enough doctors and the health sector provides services that are below standard."

Likewise, she said, the education sector was also suffering. In spite of more than 60 per cent literacy rate, the region offered poor education at higher educational institutes and less jobs were available for fresh graduates, she added. Ms Jilani said: "Intelligence agencies were very powerful and not only influenced the judiciary but also commanded fear over the general public."