'Pakistan Illegally Occupying Gilgit-Baltistan, Entire PoK Integral Part Of India': Rajnath Singh

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday announced to accord 'provisional provincial status' to Gilgit Baltistan.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh (File Photo/ Getty)

Fumed over Pakistan's decision to accord 'provisional provincial status' to Gilgit Baltistan, Indian's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh slammed Prime Minister Imran Khan and said entire Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is an integral part of India. Taking to his official Twitter handle on Monday, Singh in Hindi said, "Pakistan has illegally occupied Gilgit-Baltistan. Pakistan is going to make it a province now. Our government has clarified that Gilti-Baltistan, along with entire PoK, is an integral part of India."

In his subsequent tweet, Singh said that the Partition of India happened even though we never wanted it. "The minorities which were left in India, you know how they are treated. We brought a law for these persecuted minorities," the defence minister added.

His remarks came a day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to accord 'provisional provincial status' to Gilgit Baltistan despite heavy protests in the country and strong opposition from India. Khan during his visit to Gilgit-Baltistan said, "One of the reasons for me coming to Gilgit-Baltistan is to announce that we have decided to grant Gilgit-Baltistan the provisional provincial status." The move has come after the Saudi Arabia removed Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan from Pakistan’s map. Formerly known as Northern Areas, Gilgit-Baltistan was earlier governed by the 'Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment and Self-Governance Order of 2009.' It is pertinent to mention here that Gilgit-Baltistan legislative assembly are scheduled to be conducted on November 15, 2020.