Pakistani celebrities speak up against human rights violations in Kashmir

Pakistani celebrities have slammed Indian government's move against the Kashmiri people's right to self determination.

India's government revoked Kashmir's special status with a presidential order Monday as thousands of newly deployed troops arrived and some internet and phone services were cut in the Himalayan region where most people oppose Indian rule.

Article 370 of India's Constitution, which was revoked today, gave Kashmir its own constitution and decision-making rights for all matters except for defence, communications and foreign affairs. The article also forbade Indians outside the state from permanently settling, buying land, holding local government jobs and securing educational scholarships.

Critics of India's Hindu nationalist-led government see the move as an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers.

Amidst the chaos, Pakistani celebrities took to social media to condemn New Delhi's actions.

It started with Hamza Ali Abbasi appealing to Pakistani artists to publicly condemn human rights violations in occupied Kashmir.

UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Mahira Khan also expressed her dismay at the situation.

Mawra Hocane, Hareem Farooq and Ali Rehman Khan took to Twitter to call out global powers such as the United Nations and the Human Rights Council for their failure to do anything about the situation.

Shaan went after the government in New Delhi

Mehwish Hayat says there is no justification for the use of cluster bombs

Armeena Khan and Feroze Khan extended sympathy to Kashmiris in IOK, and recognised the brutality they have faced for decades.

OKB asks: what kind of democracy silences an entire state?