Pakistan Opposes Verdict By Supreme Court Of India on Article 370

Pakistan discontent with the Supreme Court of India decision to uphold the revocation of Article 370 of the Indian Constitution is palpable. Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif criticized the verdict, accusing the Indian Supreme Court of violating international laws and betraying the sacrifices of Kashmiris. Sharif asserted that this biased decision would only strengthen the freedom movement in Kashmir, and he symbolically referred to it as the "recognition of the blood of justice on the forehead of India Supreme Court."

In a significant win for the Modi government, the Supreme Court, on Monday, unequivocally supported its decision to annul Article 370, which granted special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The court mandated the restoration of statehood "at the earliest" and set a deadline of September 30, 2024, for holding assembly elections.

Shehbaz Sharif vowed that under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistan Muslim League (N) would persistently advocate for the rights of Kashmiris at all forums. He expressed solidarity with the Kashmiri people, emphasizing, "We stand by our Kashmiri brothers and sisters in this struggle."

Adding to the criticism, Pakistan Peoples Party chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari accused India of disregarding international laws and UN resolutions, stating that the Indian parliament and courts cannot rewrite international agreements.

Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had earlier hinted at the need to improve ties with India on December 9, reflecting on the visits of two Indian Prime Ministers during his tenure.

Since August 17, Pakistan has been under a caretaker government, and relations with India further soured after the abrogation of Article 370, leading to the expulsion of the Indian envoy and a downgrade in trade ties. India has consistently maintained that the Kashmir issue is an internal matter and expressed a desire for normal, friendly relations with Pakistan free of terrorism and hostility.

Pakistan caretaker Foreign Minister, Jalil Abbas Jilani, dismissed the legal value of the Indian Supreme Court endorsement, asserting that international law does not recognize India unilateral actions in 2019. Jilani emphasized the inalienable right of Kashmiris to self-determination and stated that Pakistan does not acknowledge the supremacy of the Indian Constitution over Jammu and Kashmir. He pledged continued political, diplomatic, and moral support for Kashmiris and announced plans to convene a meeting of stakeholders to determine future actions.