Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday stated that the Kashmir issue remains the primary source of tension with India, criticising New Delhi’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
He referred to the Indian government’s move on August 5, 2019, to abrogate Article 370, which led to the bifurcation of the erstwhile state into two Union Territories — Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
Marking the anniversary, Pakistan observed Youm-i-Istehsal to protest what it calls India’s “unilateral actions.”
Sharif reiterated that the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, must guide the way forward. He emphasized that a just resolution of the Kashmir issue remains a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and urged the international community to help reverse India’s 2019 decision.
Separately, Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar said Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with all its neighbours and favours dialogue and diplomacy over conflict. Speaking at a rally in Islamabad, he added that the Pakistani armed forces and the nation are fully prepared to respond decisively to any aggression.
Special rallies and events were held across Pakistan’s provinces and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, while Pakistani missions abroad also organised commemorative events to mark the day.
