Reacting to pro-Pakistan slogans and flags being waved at a rally addressed by hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani against whom an FIR was registered for "unlawful" activity, Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said it was a regrettable move.
"What we witnessed yesterday on the streets of Srinagar is the manifestation of the deep and lasting emotional bonds between the people of Kashmir and the people of Pakistan," she said in response to a question.
"We believe that the charges against the Kashmiri leadership are bogus and illegal as India does not have any legal right to demand allegiance to India by the people of Kashmir who belong to a disputed territory and whose final settlement according to UN Security Council resolutions is yet to happen," she said.
Pakistan was concerned at the constant violations of Kashmiris' fundamental rights and remained steadfast in principled stand of extending full moral, political and diplomatic support to them, Aslam said.
"We have brought it to the notice of the UN Secretary General and the Security Council. We have also pointed out to the international community that at a time when Pakistan is in the decisive phase of its counter-terrorism operations, this kind of aggression on its eastern border would distract us and this is in no one's interest," she said.
To another question, Aslam said that Pakistan's bilateral proposal to India of a Strategic Restrain Regime (SRR) remained on the table since 1999 without a positive response.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors


Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share


Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor


Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements


Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app
