J&K's Article 370 to go: Panicky Pakistan issues desperate statement, thinks it has a say

Home Minister Amit Shah's proposal to revoke Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir in the Parliament, allowing the state's full integration into the Indian union was denounced by Pakistan. 

Interfering in India's domestic decision, Islamabad "rejected" the announcement to scrap the special provision for Jammu and Kashmir. 

In a statement, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said that Jammu and Kashmir is an "internationally recognised disputed territory." 

Further added, "As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegal steps. Pakistan reaffirms its abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause." 

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Here is Pakistan's statement:

What is Article 370?

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is a 'temporary provision' which grants autonomous, special status to the state. Under part XXI of the Constitution that looks at 'Temporary, Transitional and Special provisions,' the state was accorded with the special status under Article 370. All the provisions of the Constitution applicable to other states are not applicable to Jammu and Kashmir. 

In 1947, the provision was drafted by Sheikh Abdullah, who was appointed as the Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir by Maharaja Hari Singh and former India PM Jawahar Lala Nehru. 

As per the provisions of the article, the Parliament needs the state government's concurrence for applying laws except for defence, foreign affairs, communications and finance. Hence, the residents of the state live under a separate set of laws, including citizenship, ownership of property, and fundamental rights, in comparison to the rest of India. 

Under Article 370 provisions, Indians from other states are forbided from purchasing property in Jammu and Kashmir.  

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What are the consequences of abrogation?

Article 370 acted as an obstacle for Jammu and Kashmir's complete integration in India. Removal of Article 370 would take back the special status from the state, allow citizens from across the country to settle and buy land in Jammu and Kashmir and subsume people of the state into the mainstream. 

There would be no permission required to set up industry and infrastructure if Article 370 is scrapped. Furthermore, in this case, the RPC will be replaced by the IPC and every amendment of the Constitution will be applicable to the rest of India will automatically apply to Kashmir as well. Along with that jobs and educational institutes would be open to everybody. 

The removal of the Article will also allow West Pakistan refugees, Dogras, Bakarwala, and Kashmiri Pandits would have an equal stake in the state without any permissions.