ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet on Thursday officially approved the government’s decision of downgrading ties with India in wake of the rising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
Briefing the media about the decisions taken during the federal cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan, Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that the premier appraised the cabinet on the regional situation after India revoked the independent status of occupied Kashmir.
She said that the cabinet approved government’s decision of suspending trade and diplomatic ties with India. It is worth noting here that this decision was taken during the recent meeting of the National Security Council (NSC).
Firdous also said that two focal groups have been formed on Kashmir in the context of the parliamentary resolution and would work under their mandate to give concrete recommendations to the government for its next line of action.
Talking about other decisions taken during the meeting, the special assistant said that the cabinet approved a new constitution for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), under which the regional system in the sport has been abolished, which will allow provincial teams to participate in domestic cricket.
On August 7, the NSC, in its meeting, decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India, suspend bilateral trade and review bilateral arrangements. It also decided to take the matter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Furthermore, it decided Pakistan would observe Independence Day on August 14 in full solidarity with the Kashmiris and their struggle while it would observe Indian Independence Day on August 15 as a ‘Black Day’.
