The Indian Parliament issued rules Wednesday that will allow non-Kashmiris to become permanent residents in Kashmir and Jammu.

According to the new rules, anyone who has resided in Kashmir or Jammu for 15 years, or spent seven years studying in regional educational institutions and appeared in class 10 or 12 examinations, may become permanent residents. Previous rules, including Article 370, severely limited which non-Kashmiris could become permanent residents in the region.

The move has been condemned as an attempt to alter the demographics of the region. Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan denounced the move as a violation of international laws and treaties. In a statement released by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, Khan called on the UN and world community to hold India to account for its actions.

Some are concerned that the move will result in “demographic flooding” and that the region will lose its unique identity. Supporters of the law argue that it will improve the local economy, while others are concerned that any new jobs will go to new arrivals.

Jammu and Kashmir are a Muslim-majority region in north western India, and a major source of the political tensions between India and Pakistan. Both India and Pakistan claim control of the entire territory, but administer two-thirds and one-third respectively. Most of the fighting of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 occurred in the region.