Pakistan rejects 'illegal' grant of IOK domicile to Indians.

Islamabad -- Pakistan on Saturday rejected the Indian authorities' move to grant domicile certificates of Indian-occupied Kashmir reportedly to thousands of Indian nationals, terming it a part of New Delhi's attempt to change the demographic structure of the disputed region.

As many as 25,000 non-locals have been granted domicile certificates in Muslim-majority Jammu and Kashmir since May 18, which local politicians believe is the beginning of a move to disturb the demographic profile of the region, Anadolu Agency reported.

The certificate, a sort of citizenship right, entitles a person to residency and government jobs in the region, which until last year were reserved only for the local population.

The documents issued to non-Kashmiris, including Indian government officials, under the Jammu and Kashmir Grant of Domicile Certificate (Procedure), 2020, are 'illegal, void and in complete violation of the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law including the 4th Geneva Convention', Foreign Office spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said in a statement.

She said the latest action by New Delhi is 'a vindication of Pakistan's consistent stance' that a...