Islamabad, The Foreign Office of Pakistan has once again called attention to the profound and ongoing distress of Kashmiri families in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), noting the severe human costs of the prolonged conflict. More than 22,000 women have been widowed and 107,000 children orphaned due to the relentless violence and oppression by Indian forces.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the estimates of those affected starkly illustrate the enduring agony endured by countless families across the region. The plight of over 22,000 widows and the vast number of children left without parents speak to the harsh realities of life under occupation. Additionally, the phenomenon of “half-widows” women whose husbands are missing and presumed dead continues to rise as the families of the disappeared remain in anguish.

During a press briefing, Baloch linked these dire conditions to the oppressive tactics employed by Indian authorities, urging India to respect the Kashmiris’ right to self-determination as outlined in UN Security Council resolutions. The statement coincided with recent diplomatic talks, emphasizing the necessity for international awareness and intervention to address the humanitarian crisis in Kashmir.