A day after the Parliament approved the government'sdecision to end special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcated the stateinto union territories, Pakistan on Wednesday announced that it will call itsambassador back from India and expel the Indian ambassador in the country.

The decision came after Pakistan Prime Minister ImranKhan held a meeting of the National Security Committee in Islamabad. The confirmationregarding the decision was made by Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood.

Pakistan also announced that it will downgrade diplomaticrelations with India. It also said that it will suspend bilateral trade withIndia and also called for the review of bilateral arrangements.

On the other hand, Pakistan also announced that itsIndependence Day (August 14) will be "observed in solidarity with braveKashmiris and their just struggle for their right of self-determination". Pakistanfurther announced that August 15 (India's Independence Day) will be observed asBlack Day.

The Security Committee of Pakistan released a pressstatement regarding the meeting chaired by Imran Khan, which stated thatPakistan will downgrade diplomatic relations with India, suspend bilateraltrade with India, review bilateral arrangements, and take the matter to theUnited Nations, including the Security Council.