‘Distortion of facts’: FO rebukes Indian FM’s remarks over AJK

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ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan on Thursday condemned the remarks of Indian Foreign Affairs Minister Sabrimaniam Jaishkar about Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), in which the latter’s statement was declared misguided and baseless.

Talking to the media during his weekly press briefing, Ambassador Shafqat rejected Jaishkar’s statement – which was made on March 5, 2025 as a distortion of facts in London’s Chhatham House.

He confirmed that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized disputed territory, and according to the UN Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, its final status should be determined by the vote.

The Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized that India’s claims about the AJK have no legal stand and that under the Indian Constitution, no election practice can replace Kashmiris’ right to self -determination.

He added that the economic measures taken under military occupation could not focus on the long -standing complaints of the people of Kashmir.

Noting that Pakistan reaffirms its demand that India has evacuated the illegal occupation areas for the past 77 years, Shafqat emphasized that a peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute, UNSC resolutions and Kashmiri people’s aspirations are essential for sustainable regional stability.

Earlier, addressing the Chathham House, Jaishkar stressed that the Kashmir case would be resolved only when the “stolen part” of Kashmir was returned under Pakistan’s “illegal occupation”.

He also claimed that the cancellation of Article 370 in 2019 and the October 2024 elections in Jammu and Kashmir were steps to resolve the dispute.

However, Pakistan strongly rejected the claims, and maintaining that India’s actions in Jammu and Kashmir violate international law and UNSC resolutions.

In August 2019, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of India abolished Article 370 of the Indian Constitution and canceled the special status of Kashmir, later the Indian Supreme Court upheld the decision in December 2023.

To hand over terrorists

Regarding Pakistan’s arrest and support for the extradition of Sharifullah to the United States, the spokesperson said that intelligence cooperation between Pakistan and the United States is long -standing.

“Pakistan’s law enforcement agencies also include efforts against terrorism [Daesh] Important achievements have been achieved. According to UN Security Council resolutions, 1267 and 1373, Pakistan cooperated with the United States and handed over Sharifullah. These operations showed Pakistan’s policy of zero tolerance against terrorism.

Under a question, he said that terrorism remains a fundamental problem between Pakistan and Afghanistan as terrorist organizations, including TTP, enjoyed shelters there and demanded a capable environment there and Pakistani Afghan authorities to act against them.

He said that Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received a call from US National Security Advisor Michael Waltz on Wednesday, who thanked the government’s efforts to counter President Trump and counter terrorism.

Dar confirmed his commitment to continue his cooperation with the United States in the field of counter -terrorism and also praised President Trump’s withdrawal of US military equipment left behind in Afghanistan, which spokesman said he was a cause for concern for Pakistan.

Regarding the closure of the Turkham border, the spokesperson rejected the concepts of a unilateral action by Pakistan and explained that the Afghan party unilaterally conducted construction activities from Pakistan and resorted to firing on the Pakistan Terminal.

A border flag meeting was also held but the matter has not yet been resolved.

– Extra input from the app