Diwali gift for India! Saudi Arabia removes PoK, Gilgit-Baltistan from Pakistan's map

The world map displayed on a 20 Riyal banknote issued by Saudi Arabia initially showed Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir as parts of Pakistan but it was removed later.

File photo of Pak PM with King of Saudi Arabia

London: In what is being termed as a ''Diwali gift for India'', Saudi Arabia has removed Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan from Pakistan’s map. According to media reports, Saudi Arabia had released a 20 Riyal banknote to commemorate its presidency of organising the G-20 Summit on November 21-22. 

It was further reported that the world map displayed on the banknote initially showed Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir as parts of Pakistan but it was removed later.

Media reports say that Saudi Arabia`s step is nothing short of an attempt to disgrace Pakistan, which also seems to be "adapting to its new bloc".

Confirming the development, a PoK activist Amjad Ayub Mirza tweeted on Wednesday, "Saudi Arab removes Pakistani occupied Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from Pakistan`s map!!!!."

He also tweeted a picture that was captioned, "Saudi Arabia`s Diwali gift to India-- removes Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from Pakistan`s map," the picture`s text read.

The Government of India had earlier conveyed strong protest to Pakistan Government and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of India.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said, "The Indian government has strongly opposed the government of Pakistan and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan, are integral parts of India."

The MEA had stated in September that they have seen reports regarding elections to the so-called "Gilgit-Baltistan" Assembly to be held on November 15 and took a strong objection to it."

The Imran Khan government previously released a new political map of Pakistan, claiming Indian territories of Junagadh, Sir Creek and Manavadar in Gujarat, of Jammu and Kashmir and a part of Ladakh.

This came after the first anniversary of the Narendra Modi government`s decision to revoke Article 370 which gave special powers to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.