Pakistan Issues Demarche Over Kashmir Dispute Remarks

Islamabad – (Staff Reporter/Web Desk) – Pakistan has strongly reacted to recent Kashmir dispute remarks made by the US ambassador to India during his visit to the occupied region. The Foreign Office summoned the US charge d’affaires in Islamabad on Wednesday and lodged a strong demarche over the comments.

Officials said the remarks were factually incorrect and did not reflect the real situation on the ground.

The Foreign Office firmly rejected any description of Jammu and Kashmir as being a part of India. It said such language goes against known facts.

According to the FO statement, Kashmir is an internationally recognised disputed territory. Its final status is still pending. This must be decided under UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

The statement called the ambassador’s comments an irresponsible statement. It said the remarks contradict America’s own long-held position on Kashmir. Pakistan also noted that the statement goes against the US commitment to international law and the UN Charter.

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Demarche on the Visit of the US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor, to IIOJK, and Incorrect Statement regarding the Status of the Disputed Territory

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— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) August 19, 2026

Despite this tension, Pakistan acknowledged US President Donald Trump’s earlier offer to help resolve the Kashmir issue. This offer came after the recent conflict known as Marka-i-Haq between Pakistan and India.

The Foreign Office urged Washington to keep its public statements aligned with Kashmir’s disputed status going forward.

A Long-Standing Dispute

Kashmir remains one of the world’s oldest unresolved conflicts. Both Pakistan and India claim the region in full. The two neighbours fought their first war over it back in 1948.

After that war, the liberated parts of the region became known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

In 1949, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution. It gave Kashmiris the right to choose their future through a UN-supervised vote. That vote has still not happened, even decades later.

Things changed dramatically in August 2019. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government revoked the special status of occupied Kashmir. This was done by removing Article 370 from the Indian Constitution. India’s Supreme Court later upheld this decision in December 2023.

Trump’s Mediation Offer

President Trump has spoken about mediating the Kashmir dispute for years. He first raised the idea during his earlier term in office.

Back in 2019, Trump told reporters he was ready to step in if both sides wanted help. He said he had discussed the matter with leaders from both Pakistan and India.

At the time, Trump was told that India had turned down his offer. He responded by saying the decision rested with Prime Minister Modi.

The topic resurfaced in 2025 after Marka-i-Haq. The US State Department repeated Trump’s willingness to assist. Officials said each of his actions aims to resolve long-standing global disputes.

Trump’s offer followed his role in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India. That ceasefire came after the most serious military standoff between the two countries in many years.

While praising both nations for choosing peace, Trump made a notable comment. He said he would work with both sides to find a solution to Kashmir, even after what he called a thousand years of conflict.

White House Response

Recently, a reporter asked the State Department about next steps following Trump’s offer. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce responded carefully during a press briefing.

She said she could not reveal Trump’s exact plans. However, she noted that people are familiar with his approach to difficult issues.

Bruce added that the White House would have more to share soon. She also praised Trump for bringing people together for talks that once seemed impossible.

She remained hopeful that progress could eventually be made on the Kashmir issue as well.