Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar has raised alarms over reports that India’s Modi government may soon grant statehood to Jammu while maintaining occupied Kashmir as a union territory. Addressing a Youm-e-Istehsal rally in Islamabad, Dar cited Indian media speculation—fueled by back-to-back meetings between India’s president, PM Modi, and Home Minister Amit Shah—as evidence of the impending move. He called the plan “unacceptable and provocative,” reiterating Pakistan’s rejection of India’s 2019 revocation of IIOJK’s autonomy.
The development comes ahead of a key Indian Supreme Court hearing on August 8 regarding a petition demanding the restoration of Kashmir’s statehood. Dar urged India to reverse its 2019 actions, lift media restrictions, and halt human rights violations in the disputed region. He emphasized that Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute that cannot be resolved through domestic legislation or judicial rulings.
Pakistan reaffirmed its diplomatic and moral support for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination, vowing to continue advocacy at global forums. Dar stressed that while Pakistan seeks peaceful coexistence, its commitment to peace “should not be mistaken for weakness.” He referenced Pakistan’s military readiness, recalling past responses to aggression, including Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos during the 2022 standoff with India.
The rally marked six years since India’s controversial Article 370 abrogation, which stripped Kashmir of its special status. As geopolitical tensions simmer, Pakistan’s firm stance signals no compromise on Kashmir. With India’s next steps under scrutiny, the region braces for further political and legal upheaval. Will international pressure sway New Delhi? The world watches.