Pakistan expels Indian envoy

International Desk: Pakistan on Wednesday expelled the Indian envoy in Islamabad and announced a five-point plan that included a downgrade of its ties with India and suspension of bilateral trade, in response to the government's move to end special status for Jammu and Kashmir and split it into two union territories.

While India's High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria is in Islamabad, his Pakistani counterpart, high commissioner designate Moin-ul-Haq, is yet to take charge in New Delhi.

Islamabad, which has repeatedly sought international intervention on Kashmir, also said it would appeal to the United Nation's Security Council against the government's Kashmir decisions. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had recently thanked US President Donald Trump for offering to mediate on Kashmir, an idea that India rejected downright.

The United Nations has said it was "deeply concerned" that the government's move on Kashmir will "exacerbate the human rights situation in the region". "The fact that hardly any information at all is currently coming out is of great concern in itself," a spokesperson of the United Nations said.

In a tweet following Imran Khan's meeting with the National Security Committee, the Pakistan government listed the steps in its plan.

risingbd/Aug 8, 2019/Mukul