In response to the recent Supreme Court of India’s decision affirming the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, promptly expressed strong disapproval. Jilani asserted that the judgment holds “no legal value” and criticized India’s unilateral actions on August 5, 2019, stating that they are not recognized by international law.
Highlighting the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, Jilani emphasized that India lacks the right to make independent decisions regarding the territory against the wishes of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan. He rejected the judgment by the Supreme Court and deemed it a “travesty of justice.”
Furthermore, Jilani accused India of altering the demographic and political landscape of Kashmir since 2019, expressing concerns about measures aimed at disempowering the Kashmiri community. He called for the reversal of these measures to foster peace and dialogue.
The Foreign Minister reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to supporting the right to self-determination for the people of Kashmir and announced plans for a meeting of stakeholders to determine the country’s future course of action. Despite the rejection of the Supreme Court’s decision, Jilani expressed a desire to maintain an “environment of peace and dialogue” when questioned about the situation on the Line of Control (LoC).
Various political figures in Pakistan, including former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, criticized the verdict, claiming it violated international laws and agreements.
