News Desk |
The former cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi’s latest statement on the Kashmir issue has induced a public uproar in Pakistan. On Wednesday a video of Shahid Afridi went viral on social media in which he was seen speaking to the students at British Parliament on Kashmir issue. Afridi said Kashmir would be better off as an independent state since Pakistan is struggling to handle its own four provinces.
His statement irked the majority of the people in Pakistan, Indian media public and its state minister mocked Pakistan by twisting his statement on Kashmir issue.
The critics dubbed his remarks irresponsible on social media which according to them has weakened the political stance of Pakistan on Kashmir issue. The Home Minister of India, Rajnath Singh demeaned Pakistan and said,” Afridi is absolutely right, how Pakistan will manage Kashmir when it can’t handle its four provinces.”
Read more: Shahid Afridi meets Salman Khan in Toronto
Ali Muhammad Khan, Pakistan’s Tehreek-I-Insaf’s Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs gave a befitting response. He said,” Pakistan will control much more than four provinces, including the Red Fort that is the landmark of the city of New Delhi, India.”
Former cricketer Javed Miandad also disapproved Shahid Afridi’s statement on the issue and advised him to avoid commenting on topics that are not of his concern as a cricketer. Singer Rabi Pirzada also expressed remorse over Shahid Afridi’s remarks on Kashmir issue in a tweet.
Javed Miandad reaction on @SAfridiOfficial statement.#Cricket #KhelShel #Pakistan #Kashmir #JavedMiandad #ShahidAfridi #Karachi #India pic.twitter.com/E3oBrrFNmQ
— Khel Shel (@khelshel) November 15, 2018
While PML-N leader Khawaja Asif bashed Shahid Afridi for his stance, MQM leader Ali Raza Abidi supported his remarks stating that the people of Kashmir hold the right to decide their own future.
Despite a harrowing criticism on the cricketer’s controversial statement, there were many who supported his humanitarian outlook on the Kashmir issue. Besides stirring strong reactions it opened the gateways for the debate on social media; many stated it has damaged the stance of Pakistan other pointed that there is no need for India to celebrate his statement since he criticized the occupying forces for fierce violation of human rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
Afridi u have to realize that these type of bulshit comments on kashmir cause doesnt help kashmiris and their struggle.u have to applogise to whole nation. #ShahidAfridi pic.twitter.com/XwSlO1RqTf
— Ahsan khan khattak (@AhsanKh05047968) November 14, 2018
#Shahid Afridi's statement has been taken overboard by the media. All he wanted was a peaceful resolution of the outstanding issue. Same thing happened when former PM decided to give autonomy to the state.
— Kavita (@Ms_Kavita) November 15, 2018
Shahid Afridi, in his video, stated, “I say Pakistan doesn’t want Kashmir. Don’t give it to India either. Let Kashmir be independent. At least humanity will be alive. Let people not die. Pakistan doesn’t want Kashmir. It can’t even manage its four provinces. The big thing is insaaniyat (humanity). People who are dying there, it is painful. Any death, be it from any community, is painful.”
Shahid Afridi soon clarified his statement on social media and said Indian media misconstrued his statement on Kashmir issue.
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
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