Pakistan unveils new ‘political map’, India calls it “exercise in political absurdity”

By IAR Desk

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday, August 4, unveiled  “a new political map” of the country, which included Jammu and Kashmir and Junahadh, currently part of the Indian state of Kashmir.

The map was approved by Pakistan’s cabinet. The new map claims the whole of erstwhile princely state of  Jammu and Kashmir and a part of Ladakh as belonging to Pakistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister, Imran Khan’s announcement came a day ahead of August 5, the first anniversary of the scrapping of Jammu and Kashmir’s  statehood and special status by the  Indian government.  On August 5, 2019 India revoked article 370 of the Constitution which had granted seni-autonomy to the state if Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing media, Imran Khan termed it a historic day, adding that the new map represents ambition of Pakistani nationals. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the new political map will be ncluded in the syllabus of schools.

A press release by Pakistan government has termed 5th August as “Youm-e-Istehsal and Ghasibana Qabza.”

The Indian government has sharply responded to the move. Calling it an exercise in “political absurdity” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs said that these “ridiculous assertions” have “neither legal validity nor international credibility”.

“We have seen a so-called “political map” of Pakistan that has been released by Prime Minister Imran Khan. This is an exercise in political absurdity, laying untenable claims to territories in the Indian State of Gujarat and our Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and of Ladakh,” a statement released by the ministry said.

Calling the act , “a new effort” the statement said it  “confirms reality of Pakistan’s obsession with territorial aggrandisement supported by cross-border terrorism”.

Aditi Bhaduri

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