Pakistan announces to suspend bilateral trade with India in response to the government’s move
In response to the government’s move to end special status for Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two union territories Pakistan suspends bilateral trade with India and announced a five-point plan which ncludes a downgrade of its ties with India.
This announcement came soon after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan chaired a meeting with National Security Committee (NSC), attended by top civil and military leadership.
The meeting was attended by Defence Minister Pervez Khattak, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Hayat, Army Chief General Qamar Bajwa, Naval Chief Admiral Zafar Mehmood Abbasi, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, ISI Director-General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed and other officials.
“Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory.No unilateral step by the Government of India can change this disputed status, as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions. Nor will this ever be acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan,” Pakistan Foreign Office said.
“Our ambassadors will no longer be in New Delhi and their counterparts here will also be sent back,” Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said.
The Pakistan government listed the steps in its plan in a tweet about Imran Khan’s meeting with the National Security Committee. “1-Downgrading of diplomatic relations with India. 2-Suspension of bilateral trade with India. 3-Review of bilateral arrangements. 4-Matter to be taken to UN, including the Security Council. 5-14th of August to be observed in solidarity with brave Kashmiris,” the tweet read.