India on Thursday reacted strongly to Pakistan’s attempt to convert the disputed territory Gilgit-Baltistan into a full-fledged province.
Reacting to media reports on the same, the Ministry of External Affairs held a press conference and said that Pakistan’s actions have no legal basis and it should not comment on India’s internal matters.
In a statement, MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava remarked, “Any action by Pakistan to alter the status of the militarily occupied so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan” has no legal basis whatsoever and is totally void ab-initio.”
Reiterating India’s stand on Pakistan occupied Kashmir, Srivastava said, “Our position has always been clear and consistent. The entire territories of the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been and are an integral part of India and would remain so. Pakistan has no locus standi to comment on India’s internal matters.”
India’s rebuke to Pakistan comes amid reports that Pakistan has decided to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan’s status to that of a full-fledged province.
According to a report in the Express Tribune, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs, Ali Amin Gandapur, on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Imran Khan would soon visit the region and make the formal announcement to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan to the status of a full-fledged province with all constitutional rights.
Gandapur said Gilgit-Baltistan would be given adequate representation on all constitutional bodies, including the National Assembly and the Senate.
On Thursday, Pakistan announced that the once-postponed election for the legislative assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan will be held on November 15, amidst India’s objection to Islamabad’s moves in the strategically-located region.
President Dr Arif Alvi issued an official notification on Wednesday to fix the date of the elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.
The issue was discussed in a meeting between the Opposition leaders and Pakistan Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa on September 16.
India has clearly conveyed to Pakistan that the entire union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country by virtue of its fully legal and irrevocable accession.