'Exercise in political absurdity': India slams Pakistan's new map

In a move designed to needle India on the eve of the 365-day anniversary of the August 5 abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan on Tuesday released a new political map which depicts all of J&K as being part of its territory, as well as the regions of Sir Creek and Junagadh.

The map was unveiled by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan, who said the new map negates India’s “occupational illegal action” of August 5, and that it had been endorsed by the federal cabinet.

This map will be officially used in Pakistan's curriculum henceforth, Khan added.

The map depicts the entirety of Jammu and Kashmir as a disputed territory, while also incorporating Siachen as part of Pakistan. It also incorporates Sir Creek into Pakistani territory as well as parts of the erstwhile princely state of Junagadh.

This is not the first time Pakistan has tried to portray Junagadh as being part of its territory. The 2012 Atlas of Islamic Republic of Pakistan also portrayed Junagadh as a separate territory.

The map also shows the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas as being part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Pakistan plans to mark August 5 as a “Day of Exploitation” in protest against India.