Kashmir belongs to Pakistan: Shahid Afridi after his 'four-province' comment
What's the story
Criticizing Indian media for misreporting, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi in a tweet said Kashmir belonged to his country, and he was passionate about it as his fellow countrymen. Addressing students at British Parliament, Afridi made the comments which proved to be embarrassing for his country, that recently elected former cricket captain Imran Khan as the PM. But Afridi has now taken a U-turn.
What he said
Afridi believes Kashmir is better off independent
In a video shared on social media, Afridi lamented the deaths in Kashmir. He said it would be better if Kashmir remained independent, and said at least that way people won't die. "Pakistan doesn't want Kashmir... It can't even manage its four provinces...What is the big thing is insaaniyat (humanity)," Afridi had said. His clip was widely covered in India.
Twitter Post
Now, Afridi says his statement was misconstrued
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.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 14, 2018
Looking back
Afridi's comments on Kashmir had sparked row earlier as well
In April this year, Afridi faced a social media storm when he tweeted that the situation in Kashmir was "appalling" and "worrisome", and urged the United Nations to intervene and stop the bloodshed in "India occupied Kashmir". Earlier, in 2016, ahead of a World T20 match in Mohali, he had suggested that a lot of Kashmiri people supported Pakistani cricketers.
Reception
After recent comment, Rajnath Singh agrees with Afridi
Notably, Home Minister Rajnath Singh agreed with Afridi. In a press conference in Chhattisgarh's capital Raipur, Singh said, "What he said is right. They are not able to manage Pakistan. How can they manage Kashmir? Kashmir is and will be a part of India." Meanwhile, former J&K CM Omar Abdullah tweeted in the video byte he saw, Afridi criticized human rights violation in Kashmir.
Twitter Post
How is this a victory for India?
I don’t get what sections of the Indian media are celebrating WRT #ShahidAfridi’s statement. Forget what he said about Pakistan’s 4 provinces, the byte I saw clearly had him supporting freedom for Kashmir criticising human rights violations so how is that a victory for India?
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 14, 2018