Pakistan rejects India saying J&K an internal matter

Pakistan on Thursday rejected India's contention that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India and stressed that it remains on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council and is a disputed territory.

Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal, in his briefing, just after India stressed that Jammu and Kashmir is its internal matter, said that "A final decision on Jammu and Kashmir can only be made under a UN-administered plebiscite".

"Pakistan categorically rejects the Indian contention that Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter of India. It remains on the agenda of the United Nations Security Council and is a disputed territory. A final decision over it can be made under a UN-administered plebiscite," he said.

He also said that Pakistan Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood had summoned Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and presented him a protest letter over the "atrocities in Indian-Administered Kashmir". 

Pakistan also raised its concerns over the pre-meditative steps taken by India, such as a complete lockdown of the area, deployment of additional 180,000 soldiers, house arrests of leaders, and suspension of cellular services. "This is a breach of international laws and the foreign secretary condemned these actions," he said.

Faisal's statement comes a day after Islamabad expelled the Indian envoy, suspended bilateral trade, decided to raise the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council, and observe August 14 as a day in support of the Kashmiris' struggle. 

Pakistan's reaction was in retaliation to India revoking special status for Jammu and Kashmir and carving up the border state into two Union Territories.

Faisal also said that India has turned Kashmir into the "world's largest prison", alleging that more than 900,000 troops have been deployed and more than 14 million people "trapped" in their homes in the state.

He alleged there was a looming humanitarian crisis in the state and the people were facing food shortage and been denied basic facilities. "The international community needs to take cognizable notice of this," he said.

"Pakistan will continue its diplomatic and moral support for the legitimate Kashmir struggle for the realisation of its right to self-determination," said Faisal.IANS