New Delhi: India on Sunday summoned the deputy high commissioner of Pakistan to protest against the Islamic Republic’s Gilgit-Baltistan Order to get hold of power in these areas.
The Gilgit-Baltistan Order, 2018, which essentially seizes the powers of the Gilgit Baltistan Council and entrusts the Prime Minister of Pakistan with indisputable authorities vis-a-vis Gilgit-Baltistan, was officially promulgated on May 21.
The unilateral decision has drawn the disappointment and ire of civilians and political leaders in India across party lines.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs said that India had clearly conveyed to Pakistan that Jammu and Kashmir, including Gilgit-Baltistan areas, is an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947.
“Any action to alter the status of any part of the territory under forcible and illegal occupation of Pakistan has no legal basis whatsoever, and is completely unacceptable. Instead of seeking to alter the status of the occupied territories, Pakistan should immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation,” the statement said.
The ministry further said the action could not “hide the illegal occupation of the part of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan nor the grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to the people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for the past seven decades.”
According to some Pakistani media reports, the 'Gilgit-Baltistan Order 2018' provides for devolution of greater financial powers to the areas.
Comments
0 comment