ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Ministry on Thursday categorically rejected rumors that the government intended to merge the region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) with mainland Pakistan.
"There is no such proposal under consideration," FO spokeswoman Aisha Farooqui said at the weekly press conference.
Speculation about the merger had been going around for a little over six weeks. It began with comments attributed to AJK Prime Minister Farooq Haider Khan that he had been told that he would be the last prime minister of the autonomous region. Rumors grew after the AJK government renamed one of the bureaucracy service groups.
There were also rumors about the change in Gilgit-Baltistan state.
The spokesman also dismissed that as "media speculation."
The speculation began with comments attributed to the AJK prime minister that he would be the last prime minister of the autonomous region.
India annexed occupied Kashmir in August 2019 and since then there have been assumptions that Pakistan can also change the state of the region in view of repeated threats from India.
Ms. Farooqui said "unfortunately, it has become a pattern for Indian leaders to create a hysteria of war and a Jingoistic environment against Pakistan and its people."
A day earlier, the Foreign Ministry, through a press release, rejected as irresponsible a claim made by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the Indian armed forces could defeat Pakistan in 7 to 10 days in case of war . Modi recalled the response to the air raid following the Pulwama clash last year when the Indian Air Force lost two planes and one of its pilots was captured by Pakistani security forces.
"These observations are another reflection of India's incurable obsession with Pakistan and the BJP government and the desperate attempts of its leaders to divert attention from growing national and international criticisms to their discriminatory, anti-Kashmir and anti-minority policies ". No one should underestimate the determination of the people and armed forces of Pakistan to effectively thwart any aggressive action, "he said.
In response to a question about the government's campaign on the Kashmir problem following the upcoming Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, he said the campaign would highlight the atrocities and human rights violations of the Indian government in Jammu and Kashmir, controlled by India.
“The plan includes activities within Pakistan, as well as abroad. This is a continuous process and a national effort. Our missions in more than one hundred countries are planning a comprehensive strategy regarding the next Day of Solidarity with Kashmir and the awareness campaign is not just limited to Pakistan, ”he said.
The application adds: The FO spokesman announced the opening of the Khunjerab Pass with China in April, instead of his previous decision of an early opening, following the outbreak of a new coronavirus.
She said that the opening of the crossing point at the Pak-China border would now be carried out according to the routine plan.
According to the agreement between the two countries, the Khunjerab Pass is closed in November due to heavy snowfall and reopens in April.
The spokesman said the change of decision for an early opening of the border was part of the health security measures.
She said that Pakistan was in constant contact with the Chinese authorities to ensure the safety of its citizens and that the contact persons of the Pakistan embassy were available on the hotline for any help.
Ms. Farooqui mentioned the statement of Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, who has extended all possible help to China to help deal with the consequences of the coronavirus.
Published on Dawn, January 31, 2020
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Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1531563/fo-rejects-rumours-govt-planning-ajk-pakistan-merger