New Delhi, August 31: India views Pakistan’s decision to grant province-like status to the disputed Northern Areas with concern as it believes these areas are an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir and India.
“The Northern Areas are an integral part of Jammu and Kashmir and an integral part of India,” a senior official said here Monday.
“We view these developments with concern. We are trying to obtain more details,” the official said.
The Northern Areas, which have been renamed Gilgit-Baltistan, lie to the northwest of the Kargil region of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan had Saturday granted “province-like” status to Gilgit-Baltistan. It was previously a federally administered region.
“They will have autonomy and a province-like status,” Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani told reporters after a meeting of the federal cabinet that approved the decision.
The devolution package for Gilgit-Baltistan region empowers the local assembly to elect its chief minister. The assembly, however, will not have control over defence, treasury and foreign affairs.
The president of Pakistan is, however, authorised to appoint a governor for the area.
Pakistan’s president will implement the decision in the form of a presidential order after its approval by the federal cabinet, reports said. The Northern Areas fall under the direct jurisdiction of the president.
–Agencies