Pakistan condemns attempts to scrap Article 35A of Indian Constitution

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal has said that Pakistan condemns attempts to scrap Article 35A of the Indian Constitution as these are clearly aimed at bringing about demographic changes in the Occupied Kashmir.

In a statement, he 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.

He said 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 Spokesperson said the evolving situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir is equally a matter of grave concern.

He said following reprisal attacks against Kashmiris in the Indian 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.

Dr Muhammad Faisal 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.