An analytical report released by Kashmir Media Service said that Junagarh had the unique dispensation of being the second-largest among Muslim states and a rich one as it was ranked 5th in terms of revenue generation among 561 British India princely states was illegally occupied by India in blatant violation of ‘Article 26’ of ‘Vienna Convention of law on treaties.
History is evident to the fact that Nawab Mohabbat Khanji, the then governor of Junagadh reached an agreement with Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Governor-General of Pakistan and signed the ‘Instrument of Accession.
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Is Junagarh part of Pakistan?
Junagadh became the first princely state to accede to Pakistan on September 15, 1947. Junagarh, the report added, is an integral part of Pakistan lawfully as there is a genuine ‘Instrument of Accession’ duly signed by Nawab of Junagarh & Quaid-i- Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
After the culmination of the agreement, when the Nawab of Junagadh visited Karachi, capital of Pakistan at that time, to discuss procedural details concerning accession, India behind his back, took it as a chance of interference and advanced its troops and occupied Junagadh on November 9, 1947. The fact is India is illegally holding both Kashmir and Junagarh in violation of international laws and the partition plan.
Junagarh is an international issue as the matter had been raised at the UN in 1948 by the then Pakistan’s foreign minister. Pakistan is committed to the issue of Junagarh as it has included it in its new political map. Kashmir and Junagarh both share the same fate as only the people of these states have the right to decide their political future, the report said.
The government of Pakistan should revive the accession case of Junagadh state at various international forums, including the United Nations, as the instruments of accession are still intact.
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At the time of partition, Lord Mountbatten had initially declared that the states would be independent to decide which side they choose. According to the June 3 Plan, Nawab Mohabbat Khan signed the instrument of accession with the Governor-General of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the Pakistani flag was raised in the princely state.