AMN / NEW DELHI
India today summoned the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan and lodged a strong protest against Pakistan Government’s so-called Gilgit Baltistan Order 2018. In a statement, External Affairs Ministry said, it was clearly conveyed that 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.
It said, 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. The Ministry said, instead of seeking to alter the status of the occupied territories, Pakistan should immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.
It was further conveyed 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. The Ministry said, Government of India’s consistent position in the matter is reflected in the resolution passed by the Parliament in 1994 by consensus.