Pakistan has strongly rejected recent remarks by India’s External Affairs Ministry regarding Jammu and Kashmir, calling New Delhi’s claims “;null and void” under international law, Radio Pakistan reported.
During his weekly press briefing in Islamabad on Friday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan criticised India’s stance, stating that the designation of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) as a “;union territory” holds no legal value. He reaffirmed that Jammu and Kashmir remains a “;disputed territory” recognised by the United Nations, and its final status must be determined “;in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.” Responding to a question, Khan said Pakistan had taken note of remarks made by Indian external affairs minister, who had levelled accusations against Pakistan.
He described the minister’s comments as part of a persistent pattern, stating: “;It is lamentable that the Indian leadership at different levels continues to invoke Pakistan in their personal discourse, revealing an incredible obsession.” Khan also noted the irony in the minister’s statement that he did not wish to spend “;precious time in Pakistan,” calling it “;particularly ironic.” Rejecting what he called India’s “;continued diatribe” on terrorism, the spokesperson said: “;India’s false narrative of being a victim cannot divert international attention from its dismal human rights record and its own involvement in terrorism.” He urged India to stop making “;baseless claims” and instead focus on ending what Pakistan sees as a 77-year-long forcible occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
