'Illegal Occupation': India Lodges Strong Protest With Pakistan Over 'General Elections' In PoK

Last Updated:June 05, 2026, 18:49 IST

India has repeatedly objected to Pakistan's administrative, political and constitutional measures in Gilgit-Baltistan, saying it is an integral part of Indian territory.

India on Friday lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the latter’s plans to hold “general elections" in Gilgit-Baltistan of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on June 7.

Pakistan is set to hold elections in PoK’s Gilgit Baltistan after six years on June 7 to elect 33 members to its legislative assembly. India has repeatedly objected to Pakistan’s administrative, political and constitutional measures in Gilgit-Baltistan, arguing that such actions have no legal basis and do not alter India’s claim over the region.

In a press statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, “The Government of India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan regarding the latter’s plans to hold ‘General Elections’ to the so-called ‘Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly’, in the Indian territories illegally and forcibly occupied by Pakistan, scheduled for June 7."

The government reiterated that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, including the so-called “Gilgit-Baltistan", are integral and inalienable parts of India.

“The Government of India further emphasised that such endeavours by Pakistan cannot mask the underlying issues of grave human rights violations, political repression, economic exploitation and denial of freedom in territories illegally occupied by Pakistan," the MEA said.

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Aveek Banerjee

Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in int...Read More

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