Pakistan downgrades ties with India over Kashmir crisis

Pakistan announced on Wednesday that it would downgrade diplomatic relations and suspend bilateral trade with India over mounting tension on the status of the disputed territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision taken in a meeting of the country's National Security Committee, the top forum of civil and military leaders, which is chaired by premier Imran Khan, according to a statement from the Prime Ministry.

The move from Islamabad came days after New Delhi revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divided the Muslim-majority state into two unions.

The committee also decided to review "bilateral arrangements" as Islamabad would take the Kashmir issue to UN bodies, including the Security Council, the statement added.

Pakistan also observed this year's Independence Day -- Aug. 14 -- in solidarity with "brave Kashmiris and their just struggle for their right of self-determination".

Khan directed the country's armed forces to continue vigilance, said the statement, adding that Khan directed for all diplomatic channels be activated to expose the "brutal Indian racist regime" for its "human rights violations."

Kamruzzaman