ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the US charge d'affaires in Islamabad to lodge a strong protest over remarks made by the US ambassador to India regarding the status of Jammu and Kashmir during a visit to Indian-controlled Kashmir, the Foreign Ministry said.

In a statement, the ministry said that the US diplomat was handed a demarche over what it described as "factually incorrect remarks" characterizing Jammu and Kashmir as "a part of India."

Pakistan strongly condemned and categorically rejected the characterization, reiterating that Jammu and Kashmir is an internationally recognized disputed territory whose final status is to be determined in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people, the statement said.

The ministry said the remarks contradicted the long-standing US position on the Kashmir issue and were inconsistent with Washington's commitment to international law and the UN Charter, urging the US side to ensure that its public statements remain consistent with the disputed status of the territory.