Pakistan to downgrade diplomatic relations, suspend trade with India

World Wednesday 07/August/2019 21:03 PM
By: Times News Service
Pakistan to downgrade diplomatic relations, suspend trade with India

Muscat: In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Pakistan's National Security Committee (NSC) on Wednesday announced its decision to downgrade diplomatic relations with India and suspend all bilateral trade.

The decision comes after India's Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that his country would amend Article 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution. The decision, enforced by presidential decree, will end the special status provided to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.

Following India’s decision, Pakistan called for an immediate review of bilateral arrangements between the two countries.

"NSC has decided upon following: Downgrading of diplomatic relations & suspension of bilateral trade with India, review of bilateral arrangements, United Nations, including the Security Council to be approached,” Pakistan’s incumbent ruling party, the Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) said via their official twitter handle.

"Additionally, Independence Day, this 14 August, to be observed in solidarity with brave Kashmiris and their just struggle for their right of self-determination. 15th August will be observed as Black Day.

"Khan has also directed all diplomatic channels to be activated in order to expose brutal Indian racist regime, design and human rights violations,” PTI added.

Under the orders of Khan, Pakistani Armed Forces have been directed to 'continue vigilance' at all borders.

On Monday, 4 August, PM Khan took to Twitter and said: "President Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir. This is the time to do so as situation deteriorates there and along the LOC with new aggressive actions being taken by Indian occupation forces. This has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis.

"It is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Occupied Kashmir. They must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to UNSC resolutions.The only road to peace & security in South Asia runs through a peaceful & just settlement of Kashmir.

"I condemn India's attack across LOC on innocent civilians & it's use of cluster munitions in violation of international humanitarian law and it's own commitments under the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. UNSC must take note of this international threat to peace & security."