Pakistan strongly rejects India’s ‘illegal’ move

Summons Indian envoy; PM calls Erdogan, Mahatir; parliament, corps commanders to meet today

ISLAMABAD: Hours after New Delhi revoked special status of Indian occupied Kashmir (IOK) through a controversial presidential decree, Islamabad rejected the move, vowing to exercise all ‘possible options’ against what it calls India’s ‘illegal steps.’

The Foreign Office not only strongly condemned the Indian decision to scrape Article 370  of the Indian Constitutions that gives the state of  Jammu and Kashmir a special status but also summoned the Indian high commissioner to lodge a formal protest.

The first reaction came within hours of the announcement made by Indian Home Minister Amit Shah in Indian Lok Sabha. The Foreign Office made it clear that unilateral Indian action is neither acceptable to Pakistan nor to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

India abolishes occupied Kashmir special status with rushed decree

“Pakistan strongly condemns and rejects the announcements made today by the Indian Government regarding the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir,” the strongly worded statement read. “The Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory.”

It said: “No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan.”

The Foreign Office went on to add that as the party to this international dispute, Pakistan would exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps.

It also reaffirmed Pakistan abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the IOK people for realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.

Few hours later, Foreign Secretary Sohail Mehmood summoned the Indian high commissioner to the Foreign Office and conveyed a strong demarche on the announcements made and actions taken by India with regard to the IOK.

The foreign secretary conveyed Pakistan’s unequivocal rejection of these illegal actions as they are in breach of international law and several UNSC resolutions.  Pakistan’s resolute condemnation of the unlawful actions aimed at further consolidating the illegal occupation of the IOK was underscored.

The foreign secretary also condemned the preceding pre-meditated steps such as complete lock-down of the IOK, deployment of 180,000 additional troops, imposition of curfew, house-arrest of Kashmiri leaders and suspension of communication services, among others.

Pakistan’s consistent opposition to all Indian attempts to change the demographic structure and final status of IOK was emphasised. He called upon India to halt and reverse its unlawful and destabilising actions, ensure full compliance with UNSC resolutions, and refrain from any further action that could entail serious implications.

India locks down occupied Kashmir, former CMs put under house arrest

He reiterated that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to the indigenous legitimate Kashmiri people’s struggle for realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.

Pakistan also launched a diplomatic offensive to garner support of other countries on Kashmir issue and Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayab Erodogan and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Muhammad to discuss the unfolding situation in Kashmir following the Indian move.

The PM’s telephonic conversations were part of Pakistan’s outreach to world leaders on the recent developments in the IOK, said a handout issued by the Prime Minister Office. The PM said India’s illegal actions to modify the IOK special status would have serious implications for the regional peace.

He reiterated that Pakistan would continue its diplomatic, moral and political to the just cause of Kashmiri struggle for their right to self-determination, as enshrined in the UNSC resolutions.

President Erdogan shared the concerns on the developing situation in the occupied valley r and assured of Turkey’s steadfast support in this regard.  Imran Khan also called Malaysian Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad to apprise him of the recent developments in Kashmir.

The PM said India’s announcement regarding the status of the IOK is in clear violation of the UNSC resolutions. “This illegal move by India would deteriorate the peace and security of the region and would further undermine the relations between two neighbours with strategic capabilities.”

Prime Minister Mahathir said Malaysia is closely monitoring the situation in the IOK and would remain in touch. He added that he is also looking forward to meeting PM Imran on the sidelines of UN General Assembly session in New York.

Parliament, corps commanders to meet today

A joint session of the parliament has been summoned on Tuesday (today) to discuss the deteriorating situation in the IOK. For this session the National Assembly speaker has also issued production orders for incarcerated political leaders – Pakistan Peoples Party Co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Saad Rafique – so that they may attend the joint session.

Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has also summoned a Corps Commanders Conference on Tuesday (today) to analyse the emerging situation in Kashmir.

The conference will deliberate on the consequences that the whole region will suffer after the move by New Delhi. It will also devise strategy to counter Indian army's cowardly move to hit civilians with banned cluster bombs along the Line of Control (LoC) as well the internal and external security situation.