Prime Minister Imran Khan has claimed to organize a referendum in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) but left questions about the country’s policy and staunch stand on the long-standing dispute.
The premier addressed an election rally in Tarar Khel in AJK and promised Kashmiris that his government would let them choose if they want to remain a part of Pakistan or become an independent state through a referendum once Kashmir gets independence from India.
Prime Minister Imran Khan smaahes propganda of PMLN/PPP that PTI govt is going to make AJK a province.
” There is only 1 solution of Kashmir , Plebiscite and right to self determination. ”
— MNA (@Engr_Naveed111) July 23, 2021
Imran Khan’s comments stunned almost everybody as they imply that Pakistan has changed its policy on AJK.
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The political analysts say that it could be a political statement by Prime Minister Imran Khan to get as many votes in the AJK general elections.
They added that Pakistan’s founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and even Imran Khan himself declared Kashmir a jugular vein.
‘How can a jugular vein be cut if the referendum results in otherwise?’, they raised the point.
Meanwhile, the opposition leaders have rejected the comments of Imran Khan regarding referendum in Kashmir.
The Opposition Leader in the National Assembly (NA) Shahbaz Sharif termed Khan’s announcement in contradiction with the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and the country’s stance on the disputed issue.
Casual remarks by PM IK in a political gathering are damaging for the Kashmir cause. His government’s Kashmir policy has already given India space to maneuver. We reject any stance that is not rooted in the UNSC resolutions & the country’s historical position.
— Shehbaz Sharif (القدس في العيون) (@CMShehbaz) July 24, 2021
Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Chief Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman claimed the statement to be an outcome of a secret deal on Kashmir with India.