Tehran, August 5: The Pakistani media reacted much aggressively to the Indian government decision to scrap Article 370 that provides “special status” to Jammu and Kashmir, India.
Indian Home Minister Amit Shah proposed in parliament to scrap Article 370 of the Indian constitution, saying Jammu and Kashmir will be separated into two Union Territories i.e., J & K with legislature and Ladakh without any assembly.
Reacting to the development, The News International, Pakistan’s largest English language newspaper, in an article has reported Islamabad may move the International Court of Justice (ICJ) against India’s decision, claiming the action was in defiance of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)’s resolution.
“Pakistan would knock the doors of International Court of Justice (ICJ) besides taking other steps if India decides to quash the special status of Indian Held Kashmir (IHK) since it would be defeating the position of the United Nations (UN) about the Kashmir dispute and blatant defiance of the UN Security Council’s resolution which were accepted by India as well,” the report said.
Quoting sources, the report said Pakistan’s foreign office (FO) is expected to pursue legal assistance on the matter, adding it will also submit “detailed recommendations to the government”.
Meanwhile, The Tribune – a major English-language daily newspaper – warned, quoting several legal experts in the nation, the Indian decision to revoke the “special status” of Jammu and Kashmir will “violate international law”.
“Any attempt by India to change the existing constitutional arrangement of Indian occupied Kashmir will be a violation of international law and UN-mandated obligations,” Ahmer Bilal Soofi, the international law expert, was quoted as saying by The Tribune.
“If Indian held Kashmir is divided into states, India will be in a clear violation of the UN Resolutions. Legally, a disputed territory cannot be divided into sub territories. As per law, it won’t change the legal status of the disputed land,” said Ghalib Iqbal, Pakistan’s ex-diplomat to France.
World Media reactions to Indian decision on scrapping Article 370-
The Guardian:
The United Kingdom (UK) based The Guardian has termed the Indian decision by Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government as “the most radical change any government has suggested for Kashmir’s status”. The report called the separation of the state into two territories as a “dramatic move”, adding it might pave ways to tension escalation with Pakistan. It also cautioned the government might face “resistance” in J&K.
BBC:
The BCC, while reacting, said the Indian decision to scrap Article 370 “is the most significant move” regarding Jammu and Kashmir. It said the action may “spark major unrest”. It referred to the current situation in J&K, stating “tensions are high” in that region.
CNN:
The United States-based CNN, in its report, said the Modi-leg BJP government had “announced contentious changes to the way the territory is administered”. The report was published headline “Kashmir in lockdown as India reveals plan to change state’s status”. A think thank member was quoted by the report as stating the declaration came as “psychological shock” to Kashmiris.
The Washington Post:
The Washington Post stated this development set “the stage for new clashes”. Its report termed Article 370 “cornerstone of Kashmir’s inclusion in India”. It also warned India’s ties with J&K would get damaged in future.
Dawn News:
Pakistan-based Dawn News strongly condemned the Indian decision as “a rushed presidential order”/ As pee the report,Kashmiris fear this will lead to demographic transformation of region from majority Muslim to majority Hindu”. It also stated the scrapping of the article “is the most far-reaching move”.