India takes on Pakistan for announcing elections in Gilgit-Baltistan; Issues official statement
29 Sep 2020 16:31:04
In a firm message to Pakistan, India on Tuesday has lodged a strong protest against the Pakistan Government for announcing elections in Gilgit-Baltistan. India made it clear to Pakistan that it has ‘no locus standi’ on territories illegally and forcibly occupied. The MEA issuing an official statement has stated in strong words, “Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of India”, and Pakistan has absolutely no right to bring material changes in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation.
On Tuesday, responding to the announcement by Pakistan Government for elections in 'so-called' Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly scheduled for November 15, India has issued a statement while slamming Pakistan for the move.
Here’s the official statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday;
“We have seen reports regarding announcement of elections to the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan” Legislative Assembly to be held on November 15, 2020. The Government of India has conveyed its strong protest to the Government of Pakistan and reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas of so-called Gilgit and Baltistan are an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947. The Government of Pakistan has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it.”
“The Government of India has also completely rejected the recent actions such as the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan (Elections and Caretaker Government) Amendment Order 2020” and continued attempts by the Pakistan establishment to bring material changes in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation. Action such as these can neither hide the illegal occupation of parts of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh 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. These are cosmetic exercises intended to camouflage its illegal occupation. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.”
India has on all the occasions explained it straight to Pakistan that Gilgit Baltistan is an Indian territory and will always remain so, but Pakistan is not ready to understand it. Last week, India tore into Pakistan at the UNGA over the same, however, it is becoming clear that the terror-sponsoring country is only pushing India to take a rigorous action.