Pakistan releases new political map including Kashmir; India calls it ‘exercise of political absurdity’

n the eve of the first anniversary of the revocation of Kashmir’s constitutional autonomy by India, the Pakistan government claimed to have unveiled a ‘new political map’, an act which India has called an “exercise in political absurdity”.

As reported by Pakistani media, Prime Minister Imran Khan unveiled the map after it was approved by the cabinet.

The map shows a part of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, with the lines emblazoned on it stating, “Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir”. Just below it, the text in parentheses reads, “Disputed Territory – Final Status will be decided in line with the relevant UNSC resolutions”. Junagadh in Gujarat is also shown as part of Pakistan. Junagadh was a Hindu majority princely state whose Muslim ruler opted to join Pakistan in 1947 but whose Hindu subjects said they wanted to join India.

Dawn reported Qureshi as having said that the changes in the map “clearly showed occupied Kashmir as a disputed territory and the only solution to the issue would be through the UNSC resolutions and as per the aspirations of the people”.

Qureshi also stated that map included the Siachen glacier, which is under Indian control. “ [Through the map] we are challenging their illegal occupation and claiming our right to the area,” he said.

Within a few hours, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that it had noted the “so-called “political map” of Pakistan that has been released by Prime Minister Imran Khan”.  “This is an exercise in political absurdity, laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian State of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and of Ladakh,” said the statement.

Stating that these “ridiculous assertions” have neither legal validity nor international credibility, the MEA press note added, “In fact, this new effort only confirms reality of Pakistan’s obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism”.

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.