Srinagar, Sept. 26 -- Days after Pakistan announced dates for assembly elections in in Gilgit-Baltistan, part of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir, the former Hurriyat Conference Chairman and ailing separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani on Saturday said that any changes in the status quo of the Pakistan-controlled region will have "disastrous consequences" on long pending Kashmir issue.

In a statement issued by Geelani's representative Saiyyed Abdullah Gilani said that the entire territory of the state of Jammu and Kashmir, including Kashmir, Jammu, Ladakh, Pakistan-controlled Kashmir and Gilgit and Baltistan is a "disputed region" and its permanent status can be determined only through a free and fair plebiscite under the aegis of the U...