New Delhi, June 5: Pakistan has no right to hold so-called ‘general elections’ in illegally-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, India said today while commenting on the plans afoot regarding those territories.
The External Affairs Ministry, in a statement, underlined that Gilgit-Baltistan is an Indian territory under illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan, which is subjecting the locals tehre to extreme human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom.
Pakistan is planning to hold ‘general elections’ to the so-called ‘Assembly’ of Gilgit-Baltistan two days from now.
“The Government of India categorically rejects any attempts by Pakistan to bring material change to areas under Pakistan’s illegal occupation, and underlines that such actions cannot hide the fact that Pakistan illegally remains in possession of Indian territories, which it must vacate,” said the statement issued by the External Affairs Ministry.
“The Government of India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the latter’s plans to hold “General Elections” to the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly”, in the Indian territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan, scheduled for 7 June 2026,” it said.
“The Government of India reiterated its well-known position that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan”, are integral and inalienable parts of India as a result of complete, legal and irrevocable accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India in 1947,” it said.
The Government of India further emphasized that “such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in territories illegally occupied by Pakistan.” (NVI)
