Vikrant Shekhawat : Sep 20, 2024, 09:40 AM
J&K Election 2024: Pakistan has once again made sharp allegations against India, especially regarding the assembly elections being held in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has termed this election, being held after 10 years, as ridiculous. This statement comes after the first phase of voting was completed on 18 September for 24 assembly seats in Jammu and Kashmir, in which more than 60 percent voting was recorded.Statement of Mumtaz Zehra BalochPakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zehra Baloch said that "this election in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) has no value internationally." He said that India should be reminded that according to international law this election has no legal value.Mention of UN resolutionsBaloch referred to the United Nations Security Council resolutions to India, which state that the final solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute should be through a plebiscite. He also said that the number of Kashmiri political prisoners is in thousands and people have been under occupation for decades. Baloch alleged that 14 political parties have been declared illegal and in this atmosphere of fear, this election has no legitimacy.International dispute of KashmirPakistan has made such statements on this issue earlier as well. Baloch said that the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be resolved unilaterally. It is an international issue and it should be resolved according to the resolutions of the Security Council and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He said that this dispute is important for peace and stability in South Asia.Positive attitude of Indian leadershipMeanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah positively acknowledged the voting held in the first phase. He said that "where elections were once held under the shadow of fear and violence, now elections are being held peacefully." The first phase saw 61.11 percent polling, which reflects people's faith in democracy and progress under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.ConclusionThis first phase of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections is not only important for Indian politics, but it is also an important step in terms of regional security and stability. Despite Pakistan's statements, India has decided to go ahead with the elections as a democratic process. In the coming days, the second and third phases of voting will also be held, the results of which will come on October 8.