The Foreign Office (FO) strongly rejected Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar’s remarks on Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), calling them baseless and misleading. Pakistan demanded that India vacate occupied Jammu and Kashmir, which remains a disputed region under international law.
India’s Claims and Pakistan’s Response
Jaishankar, speaking at Chatham House in London, claimed that the Kashmir issue would be resolved once the “stolen part” of Kashmir—referring to AJK—was returned to India. He insisted that India had already addressed most of the problem through the 2019 revocation of Article 370 and the 2024 elections in the region.
The next day, FO spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan dismissed these remarks. He stated that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and its final status must be determined through a UN-supervised plebiscite. He stressed that India’s claims do not change historical and legal realities.
Elections Do Not Justify Occupation
Jaishankar highlighted the 2024 regional elections as evidence of progress, but Pakistan firmly rejected this argument. The FO spokesperson stated that elections under Indian law cannot replace the Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.
India’s National Conference and Congress alliance won the elections in October 2024, marking the first state elections in occupied Kashmir since 2014. However, the newly elected assembly later demanded the restoration of Kashmir’s special status, a request that Prime Minister Narendra Modi outright rejected.
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India’s Actions Violate International Law
Pakistan accused India of suppressing Kashmiri voices through military force while claiming economic development as a solution. The FO stressed that economic activity cannot replace fundamental human rights and political freedom.
India had revoked Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, a decision upheld by the country’s Supreme Court in December 2023. Pakistan has consistently opposed this move, calling it an illegal attempt to change the region’s status.
Tensions Between Pakistan and India
Earlier this year, tensions between the two nations escalated after India’s army chief accused Pakistan of being the “epicenter of terrorism”. In response, the Pakistan Army dismissed these claims, warning India against any misadventure. Army Chief General Asim Munir reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to defending its sovereignty.
On February 5, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif addressed the AJK Legislative Assembly, offering dialogue with India to resolve the dispute. However, he also made it clear that Pakistan would use its full strength to protect its national interests.
Call for Peace and Justice
Pakistan continues to demand a peaceful resolution based on UN resolutions and the will of the Kashmiri people. The FO reiterated that real peace in South Asia can only be achieved when India ends its occupation of Jammu and Kashmir and respects the rights of its people.
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