Daijiworld Media Network - London
London, May 19: Professor Sajjad Raja, chairman of the National Equality Party for Jammu Kashmir Gilgit Baltistan and Ladakh (NEP JKGBL), has exposed the grim situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), accusing Pakistan of continuing to support terrorism while neglecting the basic needs of the region's people.
Speaking to ANI in the wake of India's Operation Sindoor, Prof Raja stated that although the operation forced terrorist outfits and the Pakistan Army to act more cautiously, it hasn’t instilled real fear among them. “The army doesn’t die; it sends puppets to die. So, they’re more careful now, not scared,” he said.
Confirming the ongoing presence of terror camps, he revealed, “There are many such camps operating in PoJK and across Pakistan. Nearly 50% of mosques in Pakistan have turned into fronts for terrorism.” He explained how these training centres have become more discreet over time to evade international scrutiny.
Calling Pakistan a ‘garrison state,’ Prof Raja criticised the dominance of the army over civilian life. “The Pakistan Army controls 54 commercial companies and survives by pushing the idea that India is a threat. It creates tensions with India to cover up its own failures, especially when it loses public trust, like it did after the fallout with Imran Khan.”
Regarding the recent Pahalgam terror attack and India’s robust response through Operation Sindoor, Prof Raja said the move sent a powerful global message. However, he warned, “As long as China protects Pakistan, the threat will persist. The global community must take a united stand against state-sponsored terrorism.”
Shedding light on the dire conditions in PoJK, he remarked, “For nearly seven million people, not a single hospital has proper facilities. There are no decent roads, schools or universities. Healthcare and education here depend entirely on public donations.”
Prof Raja’s candid remarks come as Pakistan faces growing international scrutiny over its role in nurturing terrorism and failing its own citizens in PoJK.