Islamabad: Prime Minister Imran Khan warned Pakistanis not to go to Kashmir to fight jihad. He said instead of doing good it will harm the cause of the Kashmiris.
“If anyone from Pakistan goes to India to fight jihad… he will be the first to do an injustice to Kashmiris, he will be the enemy of Kashmiris,” Imran Khan told the media Wednesday after inaugurating the Torkham Terminal at Pak-Afghan border. The Pakistan prime minister claimed that India needed just ‘an excuse to launch crackdown on the besieged people of Kashmir’.
Imran Khan’s statement to discourage jihadi activities in Kashmir came ahead of his crucial visit to US where he would address the UN General Assembly and meet US President Donald Trump. He informed that he will ‘forcefully present the Kashmir issue like never before’ at the UN General Assembly session September 27. Khan also ruled out talks with India unless New Delhi lifts curfew in Kashmir and revoke the abrogation of Article 370.
Imran Khan also claimed that the attack on a Hindu temple in Ghotki in Sindh province was a conspiracy to sabotage his UN General Assembly address, where he would raise the Kashmir issue. “I condemn what happened in Ghotki,” he said, adding that all citizens are given equal importance in the Constitution and Islam. Fifty people vandalised Sunday a Hindu temple in Ghotki after an alleged case of blasphemy.
Khan also said that Pakistan will make its utmost effort for the resumption of the stalled peace process in Afghanistan. The Pakistan prime minister said he will insist for resumption of peace talks during his Monday meeting with President Trump in New York. He said it will be tragedy if the talks do not resume and the Taliban do not participate in the Afghan elections.
Khan said peace in Afghanistan is in the interest of Afghan people as well as Pakistan. He pointed out that the round-the-clock opening of the Torkham border crossing will facilitate trade in the region.
“I consider this to be a very historic day,” Imran Khan said, adding that trade with Afghanistan had jumped by 50 per cent during the trial of the 24/7 border opening.
PTI
