New Delhi: Asserting that India's position over the Gilgit-Baltistan issue has been clear from the very beginning, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh on Monday said even the Constitution of Pakistan does not recognise the area as a part of the Islamic republic.
"I think as far as Gilgit-Baltistan is concerned, India's position has been very clear right from the beginning. Even the Constitution of Pakistan does not recognise it as a part of Pakistan. And, therefore, any such kind of initiative undertaken by Pakistan over there clearly smacks of some mischievous desires," Singh told the media here.
"As far as India is concerned, we go by the 1994 resolution of Parliament which was passed unanimously, which clearly states that there is nothing outstanding as far as Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan is concerned, except for retrieving back the portions of Jammu-Kashmir, including Gilgit-Baltistan, which continue to remain under the illegal occupation of Pakistan," he added.
The people of Gilgit-Baltistan have rejected the elections being held today, demanding an end to the colonial rule of Pakistan outside the United Nations Office in Gilgit city.
"If there are any attempts to sideline our party during elections then we challenge that nobody will be able to rule in Gilgit-Baltistan," said Jamaat-e-Ulema Islam, the leader of a regional party.
Meanwhile, a resident of Diamer, rued the lack of health and education facilities, saying no development has taken place in the area.
India had earlier flagged its objections to the elections being held in Gilgit-Baltistan, which forms a part of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, and termed the move as an attempt to camouflage the 'forcible and illegal' occupation of the region.
