India Dismisses PoK Elections as Farce to Mask Illegal Occupation
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday rejected the recently concluded elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as a 'cosmetic exercise' designed to obscure Pakistan's illegal occupation of the region.
In a strongly worded statement, the MEA said the so-called 'general elections' in PoJK hold no legal or democratic validity. 'These elections are a mere cosmetic exercise to camouflage the illegal occupation of Indian territory by Pakistan,' the statement read.
India has consistently maintained that the entire territory of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including areas under Pakistan's control, is an integral part of India. The government in New Delhi has called on Pakistan to vacate the illegally occupied territories and cease what it terms 'sham elections' that lack any democratic mandate.
The MEA further noted that such exercises are a violation of the Simla Agreement and the UN Charter, which mandate bilateral resolution of the Kashmir dispute without third-party intervention. 'The people of PoJK have been denied their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination. These staged elections cannot legitimize Pakistan's aggression,' the statement added.
Political analysts point out that the elections in PoJK are frequently criticized for lacking transparency and freedom, with the dominant political party often being linked to the Pakistani establishment. The region has witnessed growing dissent against perceived authoritarian rule and economic exploitation.
The Indian government reiterated its commitment to bring PoJK under Indian administration and to restore democratic governance in the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. 'India will continue to raise the issue of Pakistan's illegal occupation at all international forums until justice is delivered to the people of PoJK,' the MEA affirmed.
