Islamabad: Pakistan has reacted angrily to India's objection on holding of polls in Gilgit and Baltistan regions of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
A spokesperson of Pakistan's Foreign Affairs Ministry Wednesday dismissed the Indian objection and also the remarks that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including regions of Gilgit and Baltistan, are integral part of India.
“Kashmir is an internationally recognized dispute, pending final settlement through free and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices,” the Pakistani MoFA spokesperson said.
“Indian description of Gilgit-Baltistan election on June 8 'as attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation of region' is interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan,” the spokesperson added.
The official went on to hold India at fault and claimed it is actually New Delhi which is unlawfully occupying the territories of Jammu and Kashmir.
“India’s position on Kashmir is one of utter disregard to the UN resolutions, a consistent pattern of forceful occupation denial of the inalienable right of self-determination to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
The remarks came a day after Pakistan's Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif said that Kashmir was “an unfinished agenda of partition”.
Speaking at a function, Gen Sharif said, “Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of partition. Kashmir and Pakistan are inseparable.”
“While we wish peace, stability in region, we want Kashmir's just resolution in the light of United Nations resolutions and as per aspirations of Kashmiris to bring lasting peace in region,” he added.
