India responds to Pakistan's 'cosmetic' Gilgit-Baltistan election bogey; says 'vacate now'

India on Tuesday came down heavily on PM Imran Khan's 'Naya' Pakistan for its decision to hold general elections in Gilgit-Baltistan and said any action to alter status of militarily-occupied region has legal basis. In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs said Government of India has conveyed its strong protest to Government of Pakistan and reiterated that entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Lakh, including areas of so-called Gilgit and Baltistan are an integral part of India by virtue of its accession in 1947.

'Immediately vacate all areas'

" Government of Pakistan has locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it," statement res.  Government of India has also completely rejected recent actions such as so-called "Gilgit-Baltistan (Elections and Caretaker Government) Amendment Order 2020” and continued attempts by Pakistan establishment to bring material changes in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation.

"Action such as se can neir hide illegal occupation of parts of Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Lakh by Pakistan r grave human rights violations, exploitation and denial of freedom to people residing in Pakistan occupied territories for past seven deces. se are cosmetic exercises intended to camoufl its illegal occupation. We call upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation," statement ded.

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Elections in Pakistan occupied territories of Gilgit-Baltistan

Pakistan has anunced that elections for legislative assembly of Gilgit-Baltistan will be held on vember 15. In a ruling earlier this year, Pakistan Supreme Court allowed Islamab to amend a 2018 ministrative order to conduct general elections in region. Gilgit-Baltistan Order of 2018 provided for ministrative changes, including authorising prime minister of Pakistan to legislate on an array of subjects. Following verdict, India issued a demarche to a senior Pakistani diplomat in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest over apex court ruling. 

polls in Gilgit-Baltistan were to be held on August 18, but Pakistan's election commission on July 11 postponed m due to coronavirus pandemic.

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