Srinagar, April 29: President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, on Tuesday urged the Government of India to reconsider the decision to deport the Pakistani wives of former Kashmiri militants, warning that such action could trigger a humanitarian crisis.
Reacting in the wake of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Yaseen said that while the people of Jammu and Kashmir have always stood against terrorism, punishing women who entered the Valley through legal means would be unjust and counterproductive.
“Jammu and Kashmir has been an integral part of India since 1947, and the people here have consistently rejected violence and terrorism. The recent attack in Pahalgam was widely condemned, and we must now focus on providing a healing touch to the victims’ families,” Yaseen said.
He added that effective and concrete steps must be taken to prevent such incidents in the future, but insisted that targeting families of former militants, particularly their legally-wed Pakistani wives, was not the solution.
Appealing directly to the Prime Minister and Home Minister, Yaseen called for an urgent review of the deportation move, stressing that these women pose no threat and should not be made scapegoats in the aftermath of isolated incidents.
He also condemned rising instances of hate speech against these families, urging the government to ensure their safety and dignity instead of marginalizing them.
Highlighting the long-term trauma inflicted by terrorism in the region, Yaseen reiterated the need for lasting peace and support for youth development. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir have already suffered immensely. We support every initiative aimed at ending terrorism and ensuring a secure, prosperous future,” he said.
Yaseen also voiced concern for Kashmiri students studying outside the Union Territory, noting that many are facing distress and discrimination through no fault of their own. He urged the government to take steps to safeguard their well-being and protect them from any backlash.