Foreign Minister Jalil Abbas Jillani on Monday firmly opposed the Indian Supreme Court’s ruling on Article 370, which granted limited autonomy to the region of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). He emphasized that New Delhi cannot shirk its international obligations under the guise of domestic laws.
Addressing the media regarding Pakistan’s stance on the Indian Supreme Court’s decision affirming the Narendra Modi-led government’s move to revoke Article 370 in August 2019, the interim foreign minister conveyed Pakistan’s official response during the press conference. He explicitly rejected the judgment declared by the Indian Supreme Court on the status of the occupied territory.
“Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally acknowledged dispute that has been on the UN Security Council’s agenda for more than seven decades. The resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue must adhere to the relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. India does not possess the authority to unilaterally determine the status of this contested territory against the wishes of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan,” he added.
The FM underscored Pakistan’s refusal to acknowledge the superiority of the Indian Constitution over Jammu and Kashmir’s status. He highlighted that any process subordinate to the Indian Constitution holds no legal validity.
He further remarked, “India cannot evade its international responsibilities using domestic laws and court rulings. Its attempts to annex IIOJK are destined to fail. The judicial sanction of India’s unilateral and unlawful actions on 5 August 2019 is an injustice based on distorted historical and legal arguments.”
“The Indian Supreme Court’s ruling disregards the internationally recognized disputed status of the Jammu and Kashmir issue. It also neglects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, who have already opposed India’s illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019. This judgment is yet another demonstration of the compliant judiciary under India’s ruling administration.”
“The restoration of statehood, conduct of State Assembly elections, or similar measures cannot substitute the granting of the right to self-determination to the Kashmiri people.”
“The ruling cannot divert the international community’s attention from the severe and systematic human rights abuses ongoing in IIOJK.”
“India’s unilateral and illegal actions post 5 August 2019 have aimed at altering the demographic and political structure of the IIOJK, violating international law and relevant UN Security Council Resolutions, particularly Resolution 122 (1957). These actions are deeply troubling for Pakistan, as they aim to disempower the Kashmiri community in their homeland. These measures must be revoked to establish an atmosphere conducive to peace and dialogue.”
“Pakistan remains committed to providing complete political, diplomatic, and moral support to the people of IIOJK to achieve their inherent right to self-determination.”
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
