In the midst of heightened tensions between India and Pakistan regarding Kashmir, the Pakistani government has made an uncommon acknowledgment, admitting that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is classified as "foreign territory."

During proceedings at the Islamabad High Court concerning the abduction case of Kashmiri poet and journalist Ahmed Farhad Sha, Pakistan asserted that it lacks jurisdiction over PoK.

During proceedings at the Islamabad High Court, the Pakistan government's lawyer informed the court that Farhad, who was allegedly abducted by Pakistan's intelligence agencies on May 15, is currently in police custody in PoK and cannot be presented in court due to his location in "foreign land." The lawyers emphasised that PoK falls outside the jurisdiction of Pakistan.

Farhad was reportedly kidnapped from his residence in Rawalpindi, prompting his wife to file a case in the Islamabad High Court. However, recent developments revealed that two separate legal cases had been filed against him by the police in PoK.

The Additional Attorney General appeared before Judge Mohsin Akhter Kiani at the Islamabad High Court, disclosing that Farhad was facing legal action in Muzaffarabad and Dhirkot in PoK, according to local reports.

Following a petition filed by the poet's wife, Judge Kiani of the Islamabad High Court requested Farhad Shah to be presented in court.

Advocate Imaan Mazaari, representing the poet, later stated that the Additional Attorney General acknowledged in court that Farhad was currently situated on "foreign land" and hence could not be brought before the court.

A report by Pakistan Today indicated that the Additional Attorney General asserted that Kashmir is a foreign territory with its own constitution and courts. He further elaborated that judgments issued by Pakistani courts in PoK are considered as rulings of foreign courts.

Image source: India Today