US worried over human rights situation in PoK

• A day after Pakistan charged MQM chief Altaf Hussain with treason for his inflammatory speech, the US has said critical opinion should be encouraged, not silenced
• On arrest of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) leaders, State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner said the US is always concerned when politicians are detained or arrested
• The MQM remains the single largest party in Karachi for decades now and have dominated the political landscape for years sweeping provincial and national elections

Expressing concern over human rights situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), the US has called for working out differences peaceably and through a valid political process.

“We do have concerns about the human rights situation there (PoK), have reported it for several years in our Human Rights report,” State Department Deputy Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at a news conference.

“We are always urging all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process,” he said when asked about the human rights situation in PoK.

“And with respect to Kashmir, our policy there is well known,” Toner said without elaborating further. Earlier this month, protesters took to streets in the Gilgit-Baltistan region against rights abuses by Pakistani forces.