Islamabad: Pakistan has decided to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan’s status to that of a full-fledged province, a Pakistani media report quoted a senior minister as saying. India has clearly conveyed to Pakistan that the UTs of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country by virtue of its fully legal and irrevocable accession.
According to a report in the Express Tribune, Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan Affairs, Ali Amin Gandapur, said that PM Imran Khan would soon visit the region and make the formal announcement to elevate Gilgit-Baltistan to the status of a full-fledged province with all constitutional rights.
Gandapur said Gilgit-Baltistan would be given adequate representation on all constitutional bodies, including the National Assembly and the Senate. “After consultation with all stakeholders, the federal government has decided in principle to give constitutional rights to Gilgit-Baltistan,” the minister said.
India has said the Government of Pakistan or its judiciary has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it. India rejects such actions and attempts to bring material changes in Pakistan occupied areas of the Indian territory of J&K.
India rejects Pak obsession
Meanwhile, the Indian government told Parliament that it has rejected Pakistan's "obsession" with "territorial aggrandisement" supported by cross-border terrorism. The government's response was in a reference to Pakistan unveiling a new political map laying claim to Indian territory. Replying to a written question on the issue in the Rajya Sabha, minister of state for external affairs V Muraleedharan said the government continues to respond “appropriately” to Pakistan's malicious actions and propaganda, including on the issue of Jammu & Kashmir, at various international fora.
