Reacting on Government of India's decision to revoke Article370 of the Constitution assuring special status to the state of Jammu andKashmir (J&K), Pakistan on Monday said it "will exercise all possibleoptions to counter the illegal steps".

Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a statement said,"As the party to this international dispute, Pakistan will exercise allpossible options to counter the illegal steps. Pakistan reaffirms its abidingcommitment to the Kashmir cause." "No unilateral step by India canchange this disputed status, as enshrined in the UNSC resolutions. Nor willthis ever be acceptable to the people of J&K and Pakistan. As party to thisdispute, Pakistan will exercise all possible options to counter the illegalsteps,” Islamabad added. Pakistan also said that it will continue extending"diplomatic and political support" to Kashmiris. The remarks weremade by Firdous Ashiq Awan, the Special Assistant to Pakistan's Prime Ministeron Information and Broadcasting.

Ironically, the statement comes even as Pakistan isstruggling with a debt-ridden economy and has "30,000 to 40,000"terrorists on its soil, as accepted by their Prime Minister Imran Khan duringhis recent US visit. Not only this, he even admitted that his country has 40different militant groups operating within its borders. Earlier, PM Modi-ledNDA government in one of its historic move on Monday said announced thatArticle 370, which defines special powers to the state of Jammu and Kashmir(J&K), will be abrogated. This shall come into place with immediate effect,the government said. Shortly after the Centre issued notification on scrappingArticle 370 of the Constitution that gives special status to J&K and barspeople from rest of India from buying land in the state, President Ram NathKovind came out with a notification - The Constitution (Application to Jammuand Kashmir) Order, 2019 that will come into force immediately.

The order will supersede the Constitution (Application toJammu and Kashmir) Order, 1954 as amended from time to time. Following thegovernment's move, opposition so far has remained divided with more partiesextending their support in favour of the government's decision. Partiesincluding AAP, BSP, TDP, AIADMK, BJD have supported it while PDP, NCP, JD(U),MDMK have opposed government's decision.