Pakistan has warned India not to undertake any "further division, bifurcation and demographic changes" in Jammu and Kashmir, saying its actions violated international law and relevant United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

Pakistan’s ministry of foreign affairs came up with a strongly worded statement describing India’s actions as "unilateral" and "illegal" and claiming that "no new instrument of occupation shall have any legal effect".

“We have noted with serious concern reports indicating that India might be plotting further division, bifurcation and demographic changes…  to perpetuate its illegal occupation. No new instrument of occupation shall have any legal effect, ” said the statement quoted by Pakistan Today.

The newspaper said the statement followed, what it called,  "rumors" of another "vicious" plan being hatched in New Delhi to further divide Jammu and Kashmir.

India’s BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government on August 5, 2019, repealed Article 370 of the country’s constitution that gave special powers to Jammu and Kashmir and downgraded it to a union territory.  Ladakh, till then a part of Jammu and Kashmir, was made a special union territory.

“India cannot change the disputed status…  as enshrined in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions, nor can it force Kashmiris and Pakistan to accept illegal outcomes,” the statement noted.

The statement said Pakistan will continue to resolutely oppose Indian attempts to change the demographic structure and final status of Jammu and Kashmir.

“We urge India to halt and reverse its unlawful and destabilizing actions, ensure full compliance with the UN Security Council resolutions, and refrain from any further steps that might imperil the regional peace and security in South Asia,” the statement said.

It called upon the international community, including the United Nations, world parliaments, international human rights and humanitarian organizations and global media to take immediate cognizance of the situation.

It added that Pakistan also reaffirms its commitment to a peaceful solution of the Jammu and Kashmir issue according to the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

(SAM)