Anyone crossing LoC for humanitarian aid will play into hands of Indian narrative: PM Imran Khan
Imran says Kashmiris crossing border will help India to increase oppression in Kashmir
Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday warned that anyone crossing the Line of Control (LoC) from Pakistan-administered Kashmir for humanitarian aid or to support the Kashmiri struggle would play into the hands of the Indian narrative.
In a tweet, the prime minister said that he understood the anguish of the Kashmiris in Pakistan seeing their fellow Kashmiris in India under an inhumane curfew for over two months.
“But anyone crossing the LoC to provide humanitarian aid or support for Kashmiri struggle will play into the hands of the Indian narrative — a narrative that tries to divert from the indigenous Kashmiris’ struggle ... by trying to label it as ‘Islamist terrorism’ being driven by Pakistan,” he said.
Moreover, he said, it would also give India an excuse to increase oppression on Kashmiris and attacks across the LoC.
Last month, Khan had urged United Nations and other international forums to take serious action against the illegal and unilateral steps taken by India in Kashmir to avoid any human tragedy.
Tension between India and Pakistan escalated after New Delhi revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status on August 5.
Pakistan has downgraded diplomatic ties with New Delhi and expelled the Indian High Commissioner.
Khan’s warning comes a day after tens of hundreds of Kashmiris from different parts of Pakistan-administered Kashmir set out in vehicular and motorcycle rallies to Muzaffarabad on the call of Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front, the Dawn reported.
In New Delhi, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Friday said the comments made by Khan do not behove the post he holds.
In his maiden speech at the UNGA last month, Khan raised the Kashmir issue and demanded that India must lift the “inhuman curfew” in Kashmir and release all “political prisoners”.
“I think he is not unaware of how international relations are conducted. On that basis, he gives such statements. He had given an open call for Jihad against India. This is not a normal behaviour,” Kumar said.