National Conference president and former Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Friday kicked up a political storm by saying Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) will remain with Pakistan.
“POK is in Pakistan and will remain with Pakistan, Jammu & Kashmir is in India and will remain with India. We need to understand this,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of a simple ceremony organised to pay tribute to Girdhari lal Dogra on his 28th death anniversary in Jammu.
Abdullah had made a similar statement in 2005 while Congress-led UPA Government was ruling the Centre.
However, Abdullah’s one line remark invited sharp reactions from leaders of different political parties while his own son and former State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah came out in his defence.
“I’m amazed that the channels are treating my father’s views as though they are something he’s never said before”,Omar tweeted as news channels first broke the news.
Abdullah’s view on the emotive issue was in total contrast to the unanimous resolution adopted by Indian Parliament on February 22, 1994 emphasising that Jammu & Kashmir was an integral part of India and that Pakistan must vacate parts of the State under its occupation.
Clarifying his remark on persistent queries by the media persons Abdullah again said, “for how many years we have been saying Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is integral part of India. We have never taken it back from them”. He said when former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee went to lahore and held talks with Mushraff I had asked him about it. Referring to Vajpayee, Abdullah said he (former PM) had told me, “I have suggested to Pakistan President Pervez Musharaff that you keep this part with you and we will keep ours, this way we will settle the issue and also set right the line of Control.”
“This would have resulted in free movement of people across the border and improved the trade activity. But Pakistan rejected the proposal at that time”, Abdullah said, adding they are ready now to discuss the same formula provided “you hold talks with them”.
Abdullah also suggested to both the neighbouring countries that wars will not resolve the issue. “We have already fought three wars with them. It resulted in civilian deaths on both the sides of the Border. That’s why i say if you want to resolve the issue this is the only solution” Abdullah explained.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who was also present during the ceremony reacted sharply to the statement of Farooq Abdullah saying, “A 1994 Parliament resolution clearly said POK is constitutionally part of India and illegally occupied areas of J&K should be vacated by Pakistan”.