ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly rejected the “baseless” and “politically motivated” remarks made by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding the ongoing Legislative Assembly elections in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
Speaking at his weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said it was unsurprising that India issued such comments on the eve of the seventh anniversary of its actions of 5 August 2019.
He stated that those measures were illegal and unilateral, aimed at changing the internationally recognised disputed status of Jammu and Kashmir.
He added that the actions violated relevant UN Security Council resolutions, international law, and India’s international commitments.
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The spokesperson said the AJK Legislative Assembly elections are being conducted peacefully, transparently, and in accordance with the constitutional and legal framework governing the region.
He added that the electoral process reflects the democratic aspirations and political will of the people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan reiterates Kashmir’s disputed status
Tahir Andrabi maintained that India has neither the legal standing nor the moral authority to comment on the democratic process in AJK while, according to Pakistan, it continues to deny the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) their political rights and democratic freedoms.
He further said that no amount of misinformation or propaganda can change Pakistan’s position that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognised disputed territory.
He reiterated Pakistan’s view that the final status of the region should be determined in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and through a UN-administered plebiscite reflecting the will of the Kashmiri people.
Pakistan urges India to reverse August 5 actions
The spokesperson also said that India’s statements are intended to divert international attention from what Pakistan describes as ongoing human rights concerns and its failure to meet international obligations.
He reiterated Pakistan’s call for India to reverse its actions of 5 August 2019 and help create conditions for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
FO welcomes UN position on Kashmir
Responding to a question about recent remarks by the UN Deputy Spokesperson that the actions of 5 August 2019 cannot alter the status of the disputed territory, Tahir Andrabi said the statement is consistent with international law and relevant UN resolutions. He described it as reaffirming Pakistan’s position and the international legal status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan supports diplomacy in Gulf and Strait of Hormuz
In his opening remarks, the Foreign Office spokesperson also said Pakistan remains actively engaged with its brotherly countries in efforts to help resolve the crisis in the Gulf and the Middle East, particularly the tensions surrounding the Strait of Hormuz.
He appreciated Oman’s continued role in promoting de-escalation and peaceful coexistence, adding that Pakistan will continue to support diplomatic initiatives aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution to the conflict.
He vowed that Pakistan would continue to “actively pursue diplomatic engagements and support all sincere efforts aimed at achieving a comprehensive, just and lasting resolution to the conflict”.
“We hope that the agreement on the Strait will pave the way for continuing dialogue, particularly the resumption of technical-level talks between Iran and the US,” the foreign ministry spokesman said.
Iran, Oman move closer to reopening Strait of Hormuz
Iran and Oman have agreed on a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz and are finalising arrangements for the joint management of the strategic waterway, Iranian officials said, while warning that security risks remain due to the continued US naval presence in the region.
Also Read: Iran, Oman Move Closer to Reopening Strait of Hormuz
Spokesperson Baghaei added that any such agreement between Iran and Oman would not, by itself, guarantee security in the strategic waterway.
The proposed deal between Iran and Oman would give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian source and two regional officials told Reuters on Wednesday.
Esmaeil Baghaei described the negotiations between Tehran and Muscat as “professional” and “moving forward”, saying “the two sides had reached a mutual understanding on the geographical parameters of the route under discussion”.
The Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson added that if some third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement between the two countries, containing the main considerations and key points of understanding, was in the final stages of review and drafting.
