Srinagar
Prime Minister of Pakistan Administered Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider on Thursday slammed former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi for his recent controversial remarks on Kashmir.
A day earlier, a video of Afridi’s interaction with students at the British Parliament went viral and made headlines in the media. In the video, Afridi could be heard saying, “Don’t give Kashmir to Pakistan or India either. Pakistan doesn’t need Kashmir; it is not able to even handle the four provinces it has. Let Kashmir become its own country. Humanity is a big thing. Human are being killed there (Kashmir). It hurts to see humans are being killed whatever religion they may belong.”
According to report published by Geo news said reacting to the former cricketer’s remarks, the Pakistan administered PM while addressing an event in London said, “It seems that Afridi wants to play in the Indian Premier League and is issuing such statements owing to that.”
“Kashmir is a matter of life and death for us,” Geo news quoted Haider. “Afridi should not play with the emotions of Kashmiris like this and there will be no compromise on Kashmir’s independence,” according to Geo News he added.
“Players should not issue such statements,” Haider urged. He further said that Indian elections are heading which is why their forces are “constantly violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC)”.
“The United Nations is aware of Indian atrocities in Kashmir and will have to take immediate measures in this regard,” Geo News quoted Haider as saying.
On Wednesday, following severe criticism from fans and Pakistani media, the firebrand cricketer issued a statement on social media, clarifying his “passionate” remarks and accusing Indian media of misinterpreting his comments and presenting them out of context.
“My comments are being misconstrued by Indian media! I’m passionate about my country and greatly value the struggles of Kashmiris. Humanity must prevail and they should get their rights,” Afridi said in a tweet.
“My clip is incomplete & out of context as what I said before that is missing. Kashmir is unresolved dispute & under brutal Indian occupation. It must be resolved as per UN resolution. Myself along with every Pakistani support Kashmiri freedom struggle. Kashmir belongs to Pakistan,” he added.
However, it is not the first time that Shahid Afridi has expressed his views on Kashmir. The former cricketer had earlier urged the United Nations to intervene in Kashmir to stop the killing of Kashmiris.
“Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self-determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” he had written on Twitter, earlier.
