ISLAMABAD: Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Tuesday stood firm on his candid remarks regarding the ongoing unrest in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), describing his statements as sincere and straightforward. He accused external forces of attempting to undermine Pakistan’s stance on the disputed region.
In a message shared on the social media platform X, Asif emphasized that efforts to distort his comments would not weaken Pakistan’s dedication to the Kashmir issue. He asserted, “My remarks about the crisis in AJK were frank and honest. Those with malicious intentions may try to misrepresent them, but they cannot separate Kashmir from me or Pakistan, nor can they detach Pakistan from Kashmir.”
This declaration followed his defense of the government’s response to protests in AJK the previous day, where he also accused India of trying to destabilize Pakistan by using Afghan territory. He reiterated Islamabad’s commitment to peace along its western border.
Asif highlighted the sacrifices made by Kashmiris who migrated to Pakistan in October 1947, as well as those residing in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, stating that these sacrifices form the foundation of the Kashmir cause. He noted that the decades-long struggle against Indian rule in Indian-administered Kashmir has involved significant sacrifices, including loss of lives and imprisonments.
He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for a United Nations-backed plebiscite and the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people. Meanwhile, Asif criticized what he described as “externally driven” voices emerging from AJK that speak against Pakistan and the Kashmir cause, urging that such narratives be strongly countered.
He reminded residents of AJK, who have lived in relative peace under the protection of Pakistan’s security forces for decades, to acknowledge the sacrifices made by Kashmiris in Indian-administered Kashmir and those who migrated after the 1947 partition. “Diminishing these sacrifices undermines the Kashmir cause,” he warned.
Furthermore, Asif expressed his belief that Kashmiri identity is shaped by nearly eighty years of struggle and sacrifice by Pakistanis, including Kashmiris, rather than by mere documentation such as birth certificates.
These remarks come amid escalating political tensions in AJK, where ongoing protests and a government crackdown have sparked criticism from opposition groups. Authorities maintain that their actions are necessary to preserve law and order in the region.
