FOREIGN Office has categorically rejected rumours that
the government intended to merge Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) region with mainland Pakistan. Clarifying that there was no such proposal under consideration, FO spokesperson Aisha Farooqui also quashed reports of any change in the status of Gilgit-Baltistan.
There have been speculations about change in the status of Azad Kashmir and even AJK Prime Minister Farooq Haider was reported to have remarked that he was the last Prime Minister of the liberated territory. Such rumours were very damaging as these could be implied that like India, Pakistan too has annexed Azad Kashmir, thereby tacitly agreeing to the status quo. Pakistan’s principled stand is that the accession of the state of Jammu and Kashmir to India was neither final nor legal; the people of the state should decide through a plebiscite whether it should accede to India or Pakistan. Successive governments in Pakistan have consistently reiterated a constitutional clause, which states “When the people of the State of Jammu and Kashmir decide to accede to Pakistan, the relationship between Pakistan and the State shall be determined in accordance with the wishes of the people of that State.” Some experts believe Azad Kashmir is neither a sovereign state nor a province of Pakistan but rather a ‘local authority’ with responsibility over the area assigned to it under the ceasefire agreement and Pakistan would not and should not change this status until a final resolution of the longstanding conflict. In fact, there have been demands for greater and even full provincial status for Gilgit-Baltistan, which is considered by AJK as part of the region, but these demands are not being met for any negative implications for Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue. Indian decision to change the status of Occupied Kashmir is being agitated by Kashmiris and Pakistan is championing their just cause for realization of their right to self-determination. Change in the status of AJK would surely harm Pakistan’s case and, therefore, such ideas should not be entertained. However, there is definitely need for grant for more autonomy to Azad Kashmir.
