Shahid Afridi’s comment on Kashmir dispute.
Dr Shabir Choudhry
A video of former cricketer Shahid Afridi went viral, where during an interaction with some students in the British Parliament, he said:
“Don’t give Kashmir to Pakistan or India either. Pakistan doesn’t need Kashmir; it is not able to even handle the four provinces it has. Let Kashmir become its own country. Humanity is a big thing. Human are being killed there (Kashmir). It hurts to see humans are being killed whatever religion they may belong.” 1
After immense pressure from the Pakistani ruling elite and their supporters, Shahid Afridi buckled in, and he like the other cricket hero, Imran Khan made a U Turn, and said in a tweet message that:
“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.” He further said:
“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.” 2
The video clip clearly explains what the cricket hero said. There was no ambiguity. One can see from his body language that he meant to say that, and that it was not a slip of tongue.
His U Turn speaks volumes about Pakistan’s Kashmir policy, and tolerance on Jammu and Kashmir dispute. It is clear, only that person is perceived as a patriot Pakistani and patriot Kashmiri who blindly follows Pakistan’s Kashmir policy.
Additionally, despite the much-talked right of expression, enshrined in the UN Charter and Constitution of Pakistan, people of Pakistan are not allowed to express their opinion. There were a few people who dared to support Shahid Afridi. One Pakistani said, ‘We didn’t like it because it is the hard truth, but just as any other individual, Afridi is entitled to the right of an unfettered free speech.
Hard and bitter fact is, anyone who disagrees with Pakistan’s Kashmir policy or challenges merits and logic of this flawed policy is presented as a ‘traitor’, ‘anti-Pakistan’ and ‘Indian agent’. Shahid Afridi is lucky that no one has called him a traitor or an Indian agent.
Perhaps if he had shown stubbornness, and had refused to make a U Turn, then he probably would have been included in the list of ‘anti-Pakistan’ and ‘Indian agents’.
His U Turn, also exhibited skills that he could also be a ‘great leader’, as perceived by the other Pakistani cricket hero, Imran Khan.
Whether, he can become a ‘great Pakistani leader’ or not, it is not my concern. My concern is that this should open eyes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. They should understand that Pakistan is only interested in our resources, and in territory of Jammu and Kashmir. They are least concerned about our problems, suffering and independence of the people.
If anything, they want the status quo, and suffering of the people of Jammu and Kashmir to continue, as that serves the interests of the ruling elite of Pakistan.
Despite what Pakistan has done to Jammu and Kashmir, and continue to do, many citizens of Jammu and Kashmir are infatuated with love of Pakistan. They also adore Pakistani cricketers like Afridi and Imran Khan; and erroneously believe that these players can help them to get independence.
Not only the Pakistani establishment and political infrastructure applied pressure on Afridi to make U Turn, and obediently follow the official policy of Islamabad; their puppets in various parts of the divided Jammu and Kashmir were also activated.
These blind followers of Islamabad strongly criticised the Pakistani cricketer. Raja Farooq Haider, accused to be a Prime Minister of so called Azad Kashmir, strongly condemned Afridi, and according to a Geo news report, said:
“It seems that Afridi wants to play in the Indian Premier League and is issuing such statements owing to that….Afridi should not play with the emotions of Kashmiris like this and there will be no compromise on Kashmir’s independence.”
Some Kashmiri critics also urged the UN to help them to get their right of self-determination. These people don’t know that the UN regarded Pakistan as an aggressor in Jammu and Kashmir; and demanded that Pakistan should withdraw all the troops from territory of Jammu and Kashmir. After the complete withdrawal of the Pakistani troops, India was asked to withdraw ‘bulk’ of the troops.
Apart from that, both India and Pakistan agreed in the Simla Agreement that the Kashmir dispute would be resolved bilaterally by India and Pakistan. It means that both governments agreed that the UN and the people of Jammu and Kashmir have no role in this matter.
It will enhance Pakistan’s credibility on Jammu and Kashmir dispute if they grant people of Gilgit Baltistan and people of so called Azad Kashmir their fundamental rights. When Pakistan criticise India for human rights abuses; and at the same time continues to harass and intimidate people of the two regions under their control, the world doesn’t take them seriously.
Writer is a renowned writer and author of many books. He is also President Foreign Affairs Committee of UKPNP; and Chairman South Asia Watch, London.
Reference:
2. Ibid
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