Pakistan Rejects Indian Supreme Court's Decision on Article 370, Calling it a "Travesty of Justice" and a Violation of International Law
Pakistan rejects Indian Supreme Court's decision on Article 370, calling it a violation of international law. Experts suggest restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood could open doors for future talks with India. Concerns over security and implications for China also arise.
Pakistan has swiftly rejected the unanimous decision by the Indian Supreme Court upholding the abrogation of Article 370, stating that it has no legal value according to international law. The caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, denounced the judgement, calling it a travesty of justice and a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. He emphasized that India has no right to make unilateral decisions on the status of Jammu and Kashmir against the will of the Kashmiri people and Pakistan.
Jilani stated that Pakistan does not acknowledge the supremacy of the Indian Constitution over Jammu and Kashmir and that any process subservient to the Indian Constitution carries no legal significance. Pakistan will continue to support the people of Kashmir in their pursuit of self-determination. Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also criticized the verdict, asserting that it goes against UN resolutions and international laws. While Pakistan swiftly dismissed the Supreme Court's ruling, some experts suggest that the restoration of Jammu and Kashmir's statehood, as mentioned in the judgement, could provide an opportunity for Pakistan to extend an olive branch to India for future talks.
However, it remains to be seen if Pakistan's military will support any move to restore trade ties. Additionally, there are concerns that extremist elements in Kashmir and Pakistan could exploit the Supreme Court judgement to aggravate the security situation, leading to increased infiltration attempts and attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. The judgement also upheld the separation of Ladakh from Jammu and Kashmir as a Union territory, which may have implications for China due to the ongoing border dispute over Aksai Chin. China's response to the ruling is still awaited.