KARACHI: The Government of Pakistan has requested the President of the Security Council of the United Nations to convene an immediate meeting `to consider the grave situation that has arisen in the state of Jammu and Kashmir`, and `the danger that it poses to peace in the region`.

The request has been made by External Affairs Minister Z.A.

Bhutto in a letter [which] was due to be delivered yesterday, a spokesman of the External Affairs Ministry disclosed last evening.

The spokesman said the Heads of Missions of the countries which are members of the Council have been informed.

Mr Bhutto, in his letter, has said that `this situation is the direct consequence of the unlawful steps that the Government of India is continuing to take in order to destroy the special status of the state in arrogant disregard of the resolutions of the Security Council`.

He has warned that `India-Pakistan relations have been dangerously strained` and the people of Azad Kashmir and Pakistan `may in desperation turn to other courses`