Islamabad, Pakistan: The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects India’s protest against the Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018 and its claim over the Indian occupied State of Jammu & Kashmir as an ‘integral part’ of India.
“Everything from history to law to morality to the situation on the ground belies India’s spurious claim”, said a statement issued by the government of Pakistan here on Sunday.
The entire state of Jammu & Kashmir is a “disputed” territory. Its disputed status is enshrined in the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which stipulate that the final status of Jammu & Kashmir will be determined through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite administered by the United Nations. These resolutions, pledging the right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir, were accepted by India, Pakistan and the international community.
“Instead of making frivolous protests and issuing legally untenable and uncalled for statements, India should take steps to vacate its illegal occupation and create the conditions for faithful implementation of the UN Security Council resolutions, so that this longstanding dispute between India and Pakistan is peacefully resolved in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people”, maintained the statement.
“India’s statement regarding human rights is another classic example of Indian hypocrisy. India is engaged in gross and systematic violations of human rights on IOK, extensively documented by Kashmiri, Indian and international human rights organizations. The baseless Indian propaganda about Gilgit-Baltistan can neither cover up the atrocities being perpetrated by the Indian security forces against the innocent, unarmed Kashmiris in IOK, nor can it succeed in diverting the attention of the international community from the deplorable situation in Indian occupied Kashmir. As a responsible member of the international community, Pakistan has always taken steps consistent with UN Security Council resolutions on Jammu & Kashmir dispute. The latest measure is no exception, as its aim is to further empower the people of Gilgit and Baltistan. We will continue to abide by the UN Security Council resolutions until this dispute is finally resolved through peaceful means”, concluded the statement.
