Kashmir Clash: Pakistan Fires Back at India Over PoK Claim

Kashmir - The decades-old dispute over Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has flared up again as Pakistan sharply rebuked Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s recent remarks about reclaiming the region. Jaishankar, during a public event, reiterated India’s long-standing claim that PoK rightfully belongs to India and will eventually be reintegrated. In response, Pakistan’s foreign ministry dismissed his statements as “delusional” and reaffirmed Islamabad’s sovereignty over the territory.  

This latest war of words is part of the broader geopolitical struggle between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, who have fought multiple wars over Kashmir since their independence in 1947. While India views PoK as illegally occupied, Pakistan considers it an integral part of its territory. The dispute has fueled decades of hostilities, diplomatic tensions, and border skirmishes, with both sides refusing to back down.  

Experts believe that such heated rhetoric only escalates tensions further, making diplomatic resolution increasingly difficult. India’s renewed push for reclaiming PoK comes amid rising nationalist sentiments, while Pakistan’s strong rebuttal signals its unwillingness to engage in any negotiations on the matter.  

The international community continues to monitor the situation, wary of any escalation that could destabilize the region. With both countries holding firm to their positions, the future of PoK remains uncertain, and the risk of another diplomatic or military standoff looms large. As tensions simmer, the people of Kashmir remain caught in the crossfire of this seemingly endless territorial dispute.