Pakistan Downgrades Diplomatic Ties with India Over Kashmir Move, Says Will Approach UN Security Council

Islamabad: Pakistan said on Wednesday it will "downgrade" diplomatic relations and suspend bilateral trade with India after New Delhi stripped special status to Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.

The decision was taken at a crucial meeting of the National Security Committee (NSC) in Islamabad chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and attended by top civil and military leadership, said a statement issued by the PM Office.

The NSC decided to review "bilateral arrangements" with India while taking the matter to the United Nations, including the Security Council, the statement said.