Pakistan on Thursday rejected comments made by India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, about Kashmir. Jaishankar said that the Kashmir issue will be resolved when Pakistan gives back the part of Kashmir it controls.
In response, Shafqat Ali Khan, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Foreign Office, called these claims “baseless.” He said that instead of making false statements about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, India should leave the areas it has occupied for 77 years.
Khan pointed out that Kashmir is a disputed area recognized by the world. He insisted that the final decision about Kashmir should be made through a fair vote organized by the United Nations.
Jaishankar’s comments came after India changed the special status of Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019, which increased tensions and stopped trade between the two countries.
During the event, Jaishankar outlined a plan to resolve the Kashmir issue, which included removing Article 370, boosting the economy, and holding elections. However, Khan disagreed, saying that elections held under Indian law cannot replace the right of the Kashmiri people to decide their own future.
Khan also criticized India’s claims about improving the economy in Kashmir, saying that the real problems faced by the Kashmiri people cannot be solved through economic measures enforced by military presence. He urged India to recognize that a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute, in line with UN resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people, is essential for lasting peace in South Asia.
As tensions continue, many people worldwide are calling for discussion and a peaceful resolution. The Kashmir issue remains a major conflict between India and Pakistan, and finding peace is challenging.
