Talking once again on the issue of Kashmir, former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi on Wednesday sparked a new controversy.
While addressing students at the British parliament, Afridi said,” Pakistan doesn’t want Kashmir… Pakistan can’t even manage its four provinces.”
“Don’t give Kashmir to either Pakistan or India. Let Kashmir be independent. At least ‘insaaniyat‘ (humanity) will stay alive and the spate of deaths will stop. Pakistan is not being able to handle its four provinces, what will they handle Kashmir. People who are dying there, it is painful. Any death, be it from any community, is painful,” he added.
Providing a clarification for his remark, he said that clip is incomplete and his comments are being misconstrued by Indian media. “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 tweeted.
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.
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) November 14, 2018
This is not the first time a comment from the 38-year-old cricketer has made headlines. In April, Afridi took to Twitter to talk about the ‘worrisome situation’ in Kashmir.
“Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self-determination and independence. Wonder where is the @UN and other international bodies and why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” he tweeted back then.
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?
— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) April 3, 2018