PM Imran phones Erdogan, Mahathir, says India’s move in occupied Kashmir will destroy regional peace

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday had telephonic conversations with the heads of two of Pakistan's ally nations, Malaysia and Turkey, wherein he termed India’s move to revoke Article 370 illegal and one that would destroy regional peace and security.

PM Imran made this statement while speaking to his Malaysian counterpart, Mahathir bin Mohamad, on the situation in occupied Kashmir.

During their conversation, the premier termed changing the status of occupied Kashmir as a violation of the United Nations' (UN) resolutions.

“India's move will further deteriorate relations between nuclear-capable neighbours,” the PM was quoted as telling the Malaysian prime minister.

The latter, in response, said Malaysia was closely evaluating the situation in occupied Kashmir and would remain in contact with Pakistan.

Erdogan assures support for Pakistan

PM Imran also had a telephonic conversation with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

The premier explained that India had engaged in illegal measures to change the special status of Kashmir and that that move would have serious repercussions on the regional peace and stability.

Pakistan would continue its diplomatic, moral, and political support for the Kashmiris' right of self-determination, PM Imran vowed.

Erdogan, in response, expressed serious concerns regarding the deteriorating situation in occupied Kashmir. He assured PM Imran that Turkey, with regard to Kashmir, would continue supporting Pakistan.

India's Monday morning move

Earlier, the India government rushed through a presidential decree to abolish Article 370 of the Constitution which grants special status to Indian occupied Kashmir.

Pakistan condemned and rejected the Indian move and has announced that the issue will be highlighted in meetings with the US delegation visiting the country and the international community at large.

A few hours after India's unexpected move, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi condemned the development and reiterated Pakistan's support for Kashmir.

"Pakistan condemns & rejects announcements made today by Indian Government regarding Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir. We intend to firmly highlight our stance in our meetings with the US delegation visiting Pakistan and with the International Community at large.

"Pakistan reaffirms it's abiding commitment to the Kashmir cause and its political, diplomatic and moral support to the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir for realization of their inalienable right to self-determination," Qureshi wrote.

A day prior, he had said that India, with its war frenzy, "is not only sabotaging regional peace but also committing gross human rights violations along the LOC".