Islamabad (TDI): Pakistan has condemned the life imprisonment sentence awarded to prominent Kashmiri leader Aasiya Andrabi and the 30-year prison terms given to her associates Fehmeeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen, by a Delhi court on Wednesday.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement rejecting the verdict under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), describing it as “a grave miscarriage of justice” and part of “continuing suppression of fundamental rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).”
“Pakistan categorically rejects the awarding of a life imprisonment sentence to Aasiya Andrabi, a prominent Kashmiri political leader, along with the harsh 30-year prison sentences imposed on her two associates, Ms Fehmeeda Sofi and Ms Nahida Nasreen, by a Delhi court under the draconian law, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,” the statement said.
🔊PR No.7️⃣3️⃣/2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣6️⃣
Pakistan Condemns Sentences Awarded to Aasiya Andrabi, Fehmeeda Sofi, and Nahida Nasreen; Calls for International Attention to Human Rights in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir
🔗⬇️ pic.twitter.com/ukZzXz9z3Q— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) March 25, 2026
Pakistan views this decision as part of a broader pattern of politically motivated persecutions aimed at silencing dissenting voices and intimidating those advocating the legitimate rights of the Kashmiri people. The sentencing raises serious concerns regarding due process, judicial independence, and adherence to international human rights obligations.
Aasiya Andrabi has long been a vocal advocate for the Kashmir cause. Her conviction and harsh sentencing underscore the shrinking space for political expression and civil liberties in IIOJK. Pakistan believes such actions further exacerbate tensions and undermine prospects for peace and stability in South Asia.
What AJK’s Prime Minister Said
In Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Faisal Mumtaz Rathore strongly condemned the sentencing, terming the verdict a manifestation of “political coercion” aimed at silencing dissent in India-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
In a social media post on X, Rathore denounced the life imprisonment awarded to Aasiya Andrabi along with the 30-year sentences handed down to Fehmida Sofi and Nahida Nasreen.
“These verdicts are not about justice; they are instruments of political coercion designed to criminalize dissent and suppress the legitimate voice of the Kashmiri people,” he said, adding that targeting women for their political beliefs laid bare the “deep bias” in the system.
I strongly condemn the sentencing of Asiya Andrabi, along with Fehmida Sofi and Nahida Nasreen, by an NIA court in New Delhi. These verdicts are not about justice—they are instruments of political coercion aimed at silencing dissent in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
1/3 pic.twitter.com/savQx5q5EM— Faisal Mumtaz Rathore (@PMofAJK) March 24, 2026
Pakistan has also urged the international community, including the United Nations and global human rights organizations, to take immediate notice of this development and to hold India accountable for its actions in IIOJK.
It calls for the protection of the political, social, and human rights of the Kashmiri people, including the right to freedom of expression and a fair trial.
The sentencing has prompted calls for international attention, with Pakistan urging global human rights organizations and the United Nations to take notice and ensure protection of political and civil rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
Muhammad Usman Hashmi
Muhammad Usman Hashmi is a researcher in International Relations, focusing on climate diplomacy, global governance, and political economy in the Global South. He has contributed to policy dialogues with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the International Council on Human Rights, Peace and Politics. He is also associated with Rethinking Economics Islamabad, contributing to research on development and sustainability. He can be reached at musmanhashmi99@gmail.com
