Islamabad (Pakistan News): Pakistan has strongly rejected what it described as baseless and unfounded statements by India regarding upcoming elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
According to the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the remarks made by India are misleading and part of a propaganda campaign, and Pakistan categorically rejects them, considering them irrelevant.
Reaffirming its position, Pakistan stated that India is an illegal occupant of the internationally recognized disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The statement said that the Kashmir issue is the oldest unresolved dispute on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council, originating from the events of 1947 following India’s occupation of the region.
Pakistan reiterated that a just and lasting resolution can only be achieved through the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which call for a free and impartial plebiscite under UN supervision, allowing the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination.
The statement further said that India’s comments on Gilgit-Baltistan are an attempt to divert attention from alleged human rights violations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. It also claimed that special powers granted to Indian forces in the region reflect state repression.
Pakistan called on India to vacate all illegally occupied territories, reverse unilateral and illegal actions taken since August 5, 2019, and allow access to independent observers, human rights organizations, and international media.
The spokesperson emphasized that India should enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with UN resolutions.