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Abdullah raised concerns about the broader territorial issue, pointing out that while one part of Jammu and Kashmir is under Pakistan’s control, another portion is occupied by China
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah speaks during the Budget session of the J&K Assembly. (PTI photo)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday slammed the BJP-led central government following External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s comments on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Jaishankar had said that Pakistan’s withdrawal from PoK would resolve the Kashmir issue.
In the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Abdullah responded sharply to Jaishankar’s comments, asking, “Who has stopped them?”.
The J&K Chief Minister challenged the government to take action if they are capable of reclaiming PoK. “Did we ever stop them? They criticise Congress over Haji Pir Pass, but during the Kargil War they had an opportunity to bring it back, but they couldn’t do it. If they can bring it back, they should do it now,” he stated.
VIDEO | On External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s remarks on PoK, Jammu and Kashmir CM Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) said, “The External Affairs Minister has said that they (BJP-led central government) will take back (PoK). Who has stopped them? Did we ever stop them? They… pic.twitter.com/rwn5y2Ywia— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) March 6, 2025
Abdullah also raised concerns about the broader territorial issue, pointing out that while one part of Jammu and Kashmir is under Pakistan’s control, another portion is occupied by China.
“One portion of Jammu and Kashmir is with Pakistan, but another portion is also with China. Why no one talks about it?,” Abdullah asked.
What did Jaishankar say?
On Wednesday, EAM Jaishankar made the remarks on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir at a Q&A session during a speech at the Chatham House think tank in London.
The foreign minister claimed that India had made significant progress on Kashmir, with the abrogation of Article 370 being the first step. He also mentioned the restoration of economic growth and social justice in Kashmir and the high turnout of recent elections.
However, Jaishankar emphasised that the “stolen” part of Kashmir under Pakistani occupation must be returned before the issue could be fully resolved. “I think the part we are waiting for is the return of the stolen part of Kashmir which is under illegal Pakistani occupation; when that is done, I assure you Kashmir will be solved,” he noted.
Jaishankar’s remarks were swiftly rejected by Pakistan’s Foreign Office. Spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan criticised India, stating, “Instead of making baseless claims about Azad Jammu and Kashmir, India should vacate the large territories of Jammu and Kashmir under its occupation from the last 77 years.”
BJP Reacts To Omar Abdullah
Shortly after J&K CM’s remarks, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma slammed Abdullah, questioning why he responded to Jaishankar’s statement instead of addressing the issues raised by his own MLAs in the assembly.
“He should have answered the issues raised by his MLAs here…I think Omar sahab has said meaningless things. He should have answered the questions raised by the MLAs of Jammu and Kashmir. He has said meaningless and irrelevant things,” Sharma stated.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Ajay Alok expressed confidence that both Aksai Chin and PoK would be returned to India under the Modi government.
“We will surely get it back. Aksai Chin, which is with China, is our part and PoK is also our part, and we will surely get them back. This is Modi government and everything is possible,” Alok noted.
ALSO READ: EAM Jaishankar Says Kashmir Issue ‘Mostly Solved… Waiting For Return Of The Stolen Part’
(With inputs from PTI)
- Location :
Jammu and Kashmir, India, India
