Obviously ‘angry’ Pakistan vows to fight ‘illegal steps’ taken by India

New Delhi/Islamabad, Aug 6: That Pakistan would be more angry than disturbed with the Modi Government’s bold, historic and momentous move to scrap Article 370 and 35A that accorded special status to Jammu and Kashmir was a foregone conclusion. But it will 'warn' India of 'violent consequesnces' has underlined that fact that it had not learnt its lessons even after fighting three wars with India.

According to media reports, this move of the government evoked sharp reaction from Pakistani leaders and government. Reacting angrily the Pakistan government ‘rejected’ the Government of India’s move to bifurcate the state of J & K. They also decided to “exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps” even by requisitioning the services of the United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC) or the International Court of Justice (ICJ).

Pakistan believes that Kashmir is “internationally recognized disputed territory” and as such the Indian Government cannot take such decisions “unilaterally”. Islamabad said in a strongly worded statement “no unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions” and that this will never be acceptable to the “people of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan” as it is “internationally recognised disputed territory”.

Islamabad further said, “As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps”, adding that it will support Kashmiris’ “inalienable right to self-determination”.

Leading Pakistani newspaper Dawn said in its editorial dated Aug 6, 2019: “The special status given to India-held Kashmir under Article 370 of the Indian constitution has been all but removed through a resolution in the upper house of parliament, in a move to avoid the lawful route of a constitutional amendment. India is poised to forcibly convert occupied Kashmir into a Union Territory in violation of all its commitments, including those made at the UN.

The Dawn alleged that these changes reduced India Held Kashmir (IHK) to the status of a colony. The special status the region enjoyed since 1954 was basically a measure that guarded against any attempt at changing the demography of an overwhelmingly Muslim Kashmir. Its abolition could mean an invasion of the Valley sponsored by the BJP in its current belligerent mood.

The editorial warned of violent consequences of the move. The Kashmiris have shown in recent months that, although abandoned by many supporters, their ability to take on the might of the occupiers has far from diminished. In fact, it is the subterfuge, the force, the tricks employed by the BJP that have stoked the fires, Dawn warned.

It reiterated that Pakistan has vowed to campaign against the new developments, which the world must have known were in the making. Serious concern of the latest Indian action in IHK was being expressed for some time. Pakistanis will be asking their government as to what exactly transpired, and in precisely what context did Kashmir feature, at the recent meeting between Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Donald Trump.

According to news agency reports from Islamabad, Pakistan President Arif Alvi also summoned a joint session of the Pakistan Parliament on Tuesday following the developments. According to Pakistani media reports cited by news agencies, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday also termed India’s move to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir as “illegal” and said it would “further deteriorate” relations between the nuclear-capable neighbours. The Pakistani PM reportedly made the remarks while speaking to his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad on the situation in Kashmir, according to these reports.

In a statement, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said, “Pakistan strongly condemns and rejects the announcements made today by the Indian Government ... Jammu & Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory. No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan. As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps.” Islamabad added, “Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of ...Jammu and Kashmir for realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination.”