Pakistan ‘rejects’ J&K bifurcation, vows to counter ‘illegal’ steps
Deccan ChronicleNew Delhi: Pakistan on Monday reacted angrily and “rejected” the Indian Government’s move on bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, vowing to “exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps” amid strong indications that it could petition the United Nations Security Council or perhaps even the International Court of Justice against the move. In a strongly-worded statement, Islamabad said “no unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council resolutions” and that this will never be acceptable to the “people of Jammu & Kashmir and Pakistan” as it is “internationally recognised disputed territory”. Islamabad further said, “As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps”, adding that it will support Kashmiris’ “inalienable right to self-determination”. According to Pakistani media reports cited by news agencies, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday also termed India’s move to revoke Article 370 of its Constitution which gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir as “illegal” and said it would “further deteriorate” relations between the nuclear-capable neighbours.