Pak rejects India's move on Jammu and Kashmir, says will counter it every way possible

Pakistan on Monday strongly rejected the Indian Government's announcements on Jammu and Kashmir, saying it will exercise all possible options to counter the "illegal" and "unilateral" steps.

The Indian government on Monday abolished Article 370 that gives special status to Jammu and Kashmir and moved a separate bill to bifurcate the state into two separate union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Reacting to the announcement, Pakistan Foreign Office said "Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory".

"No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan," it said.

Pakistan strongly condemns and rejects the announcements made by the Indian Government regarding Jammu and Kashmir, it said.

"As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps," it said.

Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir for realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination, the statement said.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan would request and appeal to the United Nations, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, friendly countries and human rights organisations not to remain silent on this issue.

The situation in Kashmir was more serious than before, Qureshi said.

“We will consult our legal experts...,” he added.

"There are several resolutions of the United Nations Security Council on this and they have accepted this as a disputed territory… Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee had accepted this as a disputed territory," said the foreign minister.

Qureshi said the move by India showed they no longer had any hope from Kashmiris.

The foreign minister stressed that Pakistan like before would continue to support the Kashmiri people and history would prove India's decision wrong.

Pakistan on Sunday warned India that it is ready to respond to any "misadventure or aggression" by the Indian forces, as the country's top civil and military leadership discussed the sudden spike in tensions with New Delhi during a meeting of the National Security Committee.

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday said that India is totally disregarding the international obligations and the country's "arrogance will only result in heightening the conflict dynamics in the region."

Khan invited the attention of the world leaders and international bodies towards "irresponsible, unilateral and irrational behaviour" of the Indian leadership.

The Indian move was also "strongly condemned" by other leading Pakistani politicians, including Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) president and opposition leader Shehbaz Sharif who termed it "unacceptable" and an "act of treason" against the United Nations.

He also called on the Pakistani leadership to immediately demand an emergency session of the UN Security Council and to consult with China, Russia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other friendly countries.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairperson Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also condemned the move.

"President must immediately summon Joint session of Parliament in wake of Indian aggression" in Kashmir, he tweeted.

Special Assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said Pakistan will continue extending "moral, diplomatic and political support" to the Kashmiris.

Human rights minister Shireen Mazari termed the Indian move as "completely unacceptable."

"International Court of Justice must be approached immediately as well as moving the UNSC and other international forums including human rights organisation," she said.

Separately, the Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir was to meet in Islamabad to discuss the latest situation.