India lodges strong protest with Pakistan on Gilgit-Baltistan

NEW DELHI: The Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned on Friday and a strong protest was lodged on recent order by Supreme Court of Pakistan on the so-called "Gilgit-Baltistan” which is an interference in India’s internal affairs.

It was reiterated that the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, which also includes the so-called 'Gilgit-Baltistan' has been, is and shall remain an integral part of India. Pakistan government or judiciary have no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it. Any action to alter the status of these occupied territories by Pakistan has no legal basis whatsoever.

India rejected such continued attempts by Pakistan to bring material change in these occupied territories and to camouflage grave human rights violations, exploitation and sufferings of the people living there. Pakistan was asked to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation.