Pakistan Lodges Strong Protest Over US Envoy’s "Factually Incorrect" Kashmir Remarks
Islamabad, Pakistan – In a move highlighting escalating diplomatic tensions, Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (FO) on Wednesday summoned the US Chargé d’Affaires in Islamabad to issue a robust demarche. The protest was lodged against the "factually incorrect" and "irresponsible remarks" made by the US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, during his recent visit to Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Ambassador Garcetti, during his visit to the disputed region, referred to IIOJK as "an important part of India." This statement has drawn strong condemnation from Pakistan, which maintains that Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory awaiting final resolution in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
The FO spokesperson emphatically stated that Pakistan "strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterisation of IIOJK as a ‘part of India’." The demarche underscored that Garcetti’s remarks directly contradict the United States’ long-standing and well-documented position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Furthermore, Pakistan argued that such statements run contrary to the US’s stated commitment to the supremacy of international law and the UN Charter.
The Pakistani government reiterated its stance that the final status of IIOJK must be decided through a free and impartial plebiscite under the auspices of the United Nations. The FO highlighted that the US envoy’s comments undermine this fundamental principle and could be perceived as endorsing India’s unilateral actions in the region.
This diplomatic spat also brought to light past offers of mediation. Pakistan recalled former President Donald Trump’s repeated willingness to mediate the Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan. In light of this, the US side was urged to ensure that its public statements remain consistent with the disputed status of IIOJK.
For decades, the Kashmir issue has been a flashpoint between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Pakistan has consistently demanded that India reverse all illegal and unilateral actions in IIOJK, particularly those enacted since August 5, 2019, when India revoked Article 370 of its constitution, stripping the region of its special status. Pakistan has also called for the repeal of all draconian laws in the region and urged New Delhi to grant access to neutral observers, international human rights and humanitarian organizations, and the international media to ascertain the ground reality.
Pakistan’s position remains resolute: India must enable the Kashmiri people to exercise their right to self-determination in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. The latest demarche serves as a clear signal of Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to the Kashmir cause and its expectation that international actors, including the United States, respect the disputed nature of the territory in their public discourse.
The original report can be found at geo.tv.
