The Geneva-based European Parliament has strongly criticised Pakistan on the issue of security and human rights in Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Expressing alarm over incidents of terrorism and sectarian violence perpetrated by armed groups, Jurgen Creutzmann, member of European Parliament and chairman of the Friends of Gilgit-Baltistan European Union, lambasted Pakistan for numerous reports of human rights violations in the area.

Voicing alarm over the deterioration of security situation in South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, the European Parliament press release said: "There has been a major escalation of sectarian violence because of Islamabad's encouragement to fundamentalist Sunni groups. There has been an increase in violence against women and political groups seeking self-rule."

Gilgit-Baltistan, with its capital Gilgit, is administered from Islamabad.