ISLAMABAD, August 8: Pakistan on Thursday rejected India’s statement terming the deteriorating situation in occupied Kashmir its “internal affair”, days after the Indian government revoked the special status granted to the disputed valley sparking concerns of human rights violations.
Addressing media in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal responded to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs’ statement that “the recent developments pertaining to Article 370 are entirely the internal affair of India.”
“Pakistan categorically rejects India’s [statement] that Kashmir is an internal matter,” Dr Faisal said, as he reaffirmed that Pakistan
will continue its political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris in achieving their right to self-determination.
“Pakistan rejects the unilateral action by India to change the status of occupied Kashmir,” he added, as he called upon the international community to take notice of the atrocities against innocent civilians in occupied Kashmir.
India earlier today hit back at Pakistan´s downgrading of diplomatic ties over its actions on occupied Kashmir, saying its decision to strip the region of its autonomy was an “internal affair”.
The diplomatic spat came as media reports said more than 500 people were rounded up in the latest crackdown in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which remains under a strict curfew. At least six people were reported to be martyred and 100 others injured as Indian troops in occupied Kashmir opened fire on protesters. -DNA
