London: In what has been dubbed a “Diwali gift to India,” Saudi Arabia has removed Pakistani-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Gilgit-Baltistan from the map of Pakistan. According to media reports, Saudi Arabia had released a 20 Riyal banknote to commemorate its presidency of the organization of the G20 Summit from November 21 to 22.
It was further reported that the world map displayed on the banknote initially showed Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and Kashmir as parts of Pakistan, but was later removed.
Media reports say Saudi Arabia’s move is nothing less than an attempt to disgrace Pakistan, which also appears to be “adjusting to its new bloc.”
Confirming the development, a PoK activist Amjad Ayub Mirza tweeted on Wednesday: “Saudi Arabia removes Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan from the map of Pakistan !!”
He also tweeted an image that read: “Saudi Arabia’s Diwali Gift to India: Remove Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir from Pakistan Map,” the text in the image read.
The Government of India had earlier conveyed a strong protest to the Government of Pakistan and reiterated that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of India.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA) had said: “The Indian government has strongly opposed the government of Pakistan and reiterated that Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan, are integral parts of India.”
The MEA had stated in September that they had seen reports on the elections to the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan” Assembly to be held on November 15 and accepted a strong objection. “
The Imran Khan government previously published a new political map of Pakistan, claiming Indian territories of Junagadh, Sir Creek and Manavadar in Gujarat, of Jammu and Kashmir and a part of Ladakh.
This came after the first anniversary of the Narendra Modi government’s decision to revoke Article 370 which gave special powers to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir.
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