Pakistan Rejects Indian Leadership’s Claims on AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan’s Foreign Office has firmly dismissed recent assertions by India’s Defence Minister and Chief of Army Staff regarding Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), labeling them baseless and provocative.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, the Foreign Office reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory, with its status to be resolved in line with United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people.
The statement also condemned India’s attempts to shift international focus away from human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). Pakistan accused Indian authorities of continuing oppressive measures against the Kashmiri people, who are pursuing their legitimate right to self-determination.

“Such rhetoric from Indian leadership cannot divert attention from the grave atrocities being committed in IIOJK,” the spokesperson emphasized.

The Foreign Office warned that provocative statements like these are detrimental to regional peace and stability. It urged India to introspect and address its alleged involvement in acts of subversion, targeted killings, and state-sponsored terrorism in other nations instead of making baseless accusations against Pakistan.

The ongoing diplomatic tensions come amid heightened scrutiny over India’s policies in IIOJK and its handling of regional disputes, which continue to draw international criticism. Pakistan has reaffirmed its commitment to standing by the Kashmiri people and supporting their struggle for self-determination through peaceful and lawful means.

The latest exchange highlights the persistent friction between the two neighbors, underscoring the need for dialogue and adherence to international resolutions to ensure stability in South Asia.