Pakistan Dismisses Indian Objections to Upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan Vote

Pakistan strongly rejected India's criticism of the upcoming Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly elections scheduled for June 7. Islamabad described New Delhi's remarks as baseless. The Pakistani Foreign Office stated that the electoral process reflects the democratic wishes of the region's residents. Pakistan maintained that such elections cannot change the territory's legal status. India considers Gilgit-Baltistan part of India. The Ministry of External Affairs lodged a formal protest against the election plans. India claims the entire Jammu and Kashmir region legally acceded to India in 1947. The government stated that Pakistan occupies the territory illegally and forcibly. India accused Islamabad of trying to legitimise its control over the area. The Indian Ministry also raised concerns about human rights issues in Pakistani-controlled areas. These issues include political repression and economic exploitation of the region's people. New Delhi emphasised that Pakistan cannot hide its unlawful possession of Indian territory through electoral exercises. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir. Both countries maintain competing claims over different parts of the region. The dispute over Gilgit-Baltistan continues to strain relations between the two nuclear neighbours. The elections proceed amid renewed diplomatic tensions between the capitals.