On Tuesday, Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said that the Kashmir issue is the main cause of tension between his country and India. He said these things after once again criticizing New Delhi’s choice to take away Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
This marks the anniversary of India’s decision on August 5, 2019, to abolish Article 370 of its constitution. The move took away the particular autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, which was thereafter split into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
Pakistan has since declared the day “Youm-i-Istehsal,” or “Day of Exploitation,” as an official protest against India’s actions.
Sharif stressed that the only realistic route ahead for a resolution is to recognize “the will and aspirations of the Kashmiri people, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.” He stressed that a fair solution to the Kashmir dispute is a key part of Pakistan’s foreign policy and asked the world to help undo India’s “unilateral” actions of August 5, 2019.
In the meantime, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar took a different approach and stressed that Pakistan wants to have good relations with all of its neighbors. Dar said at a rally in Islamabad that the government would rather “dialogue and diplomacy over confrontation.” He also gave a harsh warning, saying that the people and armed forces of Pakistan are “fully capable of delivering a resolute response to any act of aggression.”
All over the country, special walks and events were held in all four provinces and in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir to remember the day. Pakistani embassies and consulates around the world also staged special festivities to celebrate the day.