Pakistan Reiterates Ownership Claim Over Koh-i-Noor, Demands Return Of Diamond From UK

The Pakistani Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has reiterated his country’s position claiming ownership of the fabled Koh-i-Noor diamond, which has throughout history been subject to bitter tussles for possession, reports The Express Tribune. Chaudhry demanded that the United Kingdom return the precious diamond to Pakistan.

Currently, the Koh-i-Noor (meaning ‘Mountain of Light’ in Persian), is part of the British Crown Jewels. Originally believed to have been dug out of a mine in Golconda, the diamond made its way through numerous kingdoms and empires, to finally being appropriated by the British colonial government from the Sikh Empire after the latter’s defeat and disintegration.

India has consistently maintained a claim to the diamond, demanding its return from Britain but the United Kingdom’s government has been unwilling to return it.

Fawad has also restated the demand for a British apology to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

India has also made the demand for the issuance of a full apology over the incident. However, the United Kingdom’s government has only responded with statements of ‘deep regret’ over the years.

Also Read: Not Gifted To The British, Kohinoor Was Taken Away From A Nine Year Old King, ASI Clarifies In RTI Query