Overview
- Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry issued the condemnation on March 13, reporting the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar was sealed on the last Friday of Ramazan.
- The statement says barring congregational prayers constitutes a serious breach of religious freedom and fundamental rights in the region Pakistan refers to as IIOJK.
- Officials in Islamabad said the closure has recurred annually since India’s August 5, 2019 measures, making this the seventh consecutive year.
- The ministry called on the United Nations and human rights organisations to take notice and urged India to ensure freedom of worship.
- It described such restrictions during the holy month as “deeply concerning,” and the report carried no response from Indian authorities.