India on Wednesday imposed president’s rule in Indian-held Kashmir after the expiry of the six-month governor’s rule, paving the way for the central government headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take all policy decisions related to the occupied territory.

Pakistan condemned the move as another step in the continuity of Indian brutalities and barbarism, with Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi urging the world organisations and defenders of human rights to play their due role to stop the atrocities against the innocent Kashmiris.

In June, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pulled out of the governing coalition in IoK and the governor’s rule was imposed. In November, Governor Satya Pal Malik dissolved the assembly minutes before Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) laid claim with the support of National Conference and Congress.