India's angry retort as Pak grants provincial status to Gilgit-Baltistan
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday announced Gilgit-Baltistan as a province of the neighbouring country, inviting wrath from the Indian government which rejected their attempts of bringing materials changes to the illegally occupied Indian territory.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday announced Gilgit-Baltistan as a province of the neighbouring country, inviting wrath from the Indian government which rejected their attempts of bringing materials changes to the illegally occupied Indian territory.
According to Pakistan’s Geo News, Khan made the announcement during his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan, which was originally part of Jammu and Kashmir but was occupied by Pakistan following the 1947 Partition. It then divided the region into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan. The announcement came amid protests against the Pakistan government.
Responding to the development, foreign ministry spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that the Indian government firmly rejects attempt by Pakistan to bring material changes to a part of Indian territory, which is under its illegal and forcible occupation.
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“I reiterate the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit-Baltistan, are an integral part of India,” he said.
“Such attempts, intended to camouflage Pakistan’s illegal occupation, can’t hide the grave human rights violations and denial of freedom for over seven decades to people residing in these Pakistan-occupied territories,” the spokesperson added.
The foreign ministry spokesperson also called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.
