India strongly protests Pakistan's Gilgit Baltistan order

India on Sunday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest over Islamabad's order on Gilgit Baltistan which is a part of Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

"The Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to India was summoned today and a strong protest was made against Government of Pakistan's so-called 'Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018'," the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

"It was clearly conveyed that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir which also includes the so-called '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," it added.

Pakistan Prime Minister Khaqan Abbasi on Sunday announced enforcement of a reform package for Gilgit Baltistan which was greeted with pandemonium and a shouting match in the local assembly as members vehemently protested.

The Pakistan national parliament passed a constitutional amendment bill taking away powers of President in respect of tribal areas to empower its people, Abbasi said referring to the 31st constitutional amendment.

The External Affairs Ministry further conveyed to Pakistan through its Deputy High Commissioner that "such actions can neither hide the illegal occupation of part of the state 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".

"Government of India's consistent position in the matter is reflected in the resolution passed by the Parliament in 1994 by consensus," the statement said.

--IANS

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