Pakistan condemns attempts to scrap Article 35A of Indian Constitution
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Foreign Office (FO) spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said Pakistan condemns attempts to scrap Article 35A of the Indian Constitution as these are clearly aimed at bringing about demographic changes in the Indian-held Jammu Kahsmir (IHK).
In his statement, the FO spokesperson said, “We understand that the Supreme Court of India is due to deliberate, shortly, on the petitions calling for scrapping of Article 35A of the Indian Constitution.”
Dr Faisal asserted that any move in this direction would be a blatant violation of international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit introducing material changes to the disputed territory.
The FO spokesperson said the evolving situation in the IHK is equally a matter of grave concern. He said following reprisal attacks against Kashmiris in the Occupied Kashmir and many parts of India after the Pulwama attack, there have been further heavy-handed steps including enhanced use of force, large-scale arrests, and incarceration of senior Kashmiri leaders.
The spokesperson said the large-scale deployment of additional para-military forces, and orders by the local administration to hospitals and about sale of fuel and food grains, are contributing to an atmosphere of extreme intimidation and fear.
The FO spokesperson urged the international community to take cognizance of the situation and counsel India to refrain from further escalation, defuse current tensions and resolve issues through dialogue and engagement.
