Pakistan on Monday lodged a strong protest with India on its move to open up the Siachen Glacier for 'adventure-tourism,' claiming that the area was illegally occupied by India.
"The Siachen area was illegally occupied by India in 1984 and since then it is under Indian occupation. India cannot initiate any tourist activity in this area," Foreign Office spokesperson Tasneem Aslam said during her weekly briefing in Islamabad.
She said the deputy high commissioner of India had been summoned to the foreign office on Monday and conveyed Pakistan's resentment and deep concern over Indian plans to open up the disputed territory for tourist purposes.
"The issue is under discussion between Pakistan and India within the framework of the composite dialogue. Its final status is yet to be agreed upon by the two sides," Aslam added.
She said despite Pakistan's earnest efforts, progress on resolving Siachin dispute had remained stalled due to India's 'inflexible attitude.'
The area remained a conflict zone and the reported move by India to open it for tourism could aggravate the situation with serious consequences that vitiated the atmosphere for the ongoing peace process between the two countries, she added.
She claimed that the Indian move was a violation of the 'Shimla Agreement,' under which either country could not change or violate the Line of Control unilaterally.
