Controversial remarks on Pakistan, Occupied Kashmir land Shahid Afridi in hot water
Cricketer was quoted as saying 'Pakistan doesn’t want Kashmir as it can't handle its own four provinces'
Cricket star Shahid Afridi. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Cricket star Shahid Afridi on Wednesday drew flak on social media for his remarks on the Kashmir issue, forcing him to issue a clarification.
“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,” he can be heard saying in a video that went viral on social media on Wednesday.
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The video drew a strong backlash with Twitterati lambasting the former cricketer for his 'unpatriotic comments'.
Afridi then issued a statement on Twitter, where he said 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 added that the clip is incomplete and has been taken out of context.
Afridi said that "Kashmir is unresolved dispute and 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."
“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,” he can be heard saying in a video that went viral on social media on Wednesday.
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The video drew a strong backlash with Twitterati lambasting the former cricketer for his 'unpatriotic comments'.
Afridi then issued a statement on Twitter, where he said 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 added that the clip is incomplete and has been taken out of context.
Afridi said that "Kashmir is unresolved dispute and 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."