BJP MLC Surinder Ambardar today slammed Pakistan for its remarks on the proposed settlement of Kashmiri Pandits, and said the neighbouring country was "instrumental in demographically dividing Kashmir Valley by forcing religious minorities into exile".
Pakistan had yesterday said that any effort to establish dedicated townships to change the demography of Jammu and Kashmir would be in violation of UN resolutions.
"Pakistan was instrumental in demographically dividing Kashmir by forcing religious minorities of Pandits into exile and thus changing the Sufi rishi fabric of Kashmir," Ambardar said here tonight.
Reacting to the statement by Pakistan foreign office, Ambardar said, "Pakistan needs to be reminded of Section V of the United Nations guiding principles on internal displacement which clearly states that all internally displaced people have got every right to return, resettle and reintegrate in their own land with safety and dignity."
He said, "Pakistan, first needs to put their own house in order and need to explain why leaders of Muzaffrabad (POK) were forced to live in exile..."
Pakistan's Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam had said at a news briefing that India cannot change the population mix by settling outsiders in the Kashmir valley.
"Any effort to establish dedicated townships or special zones to change the demographic makeup of the territory will be in violation of UN resolutions," she had said.
