DistantNews
Support us
🇮🇳 India /Elections & Politics

PoK Would Have Joined J&K If Status Unchanged, Claims CM Abdullah

From Hindustan Times · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah suggested that people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) might have sought to join J&K if the region's special status had not been revoked in 2019.
  • Abdullah stated that seats are reserved in the J&K assembly for residents of PoK, whom he considers "our own."
  • He reiterated his government's commitment to restoring the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated on Saturday that the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) might have been seeking to merge with Jammu and Kashmir if the central government had not revoked the region's special status and statehood in 2019. Speaking at an Independence Day function in Srinagar, Abdullah expressed "pain, regret, and deep distress" over the situation across the Line of Control (LoC), where Pakistani security forces have reportedly killed protesters in recent months.

Perhaps if our conditions had not been changed in 2019, the people of that part of Jammu and Kashmir would today be protesting to reconnect with us.

— Omar AbdullahReflecting on the potential desire of PoK residents to join J&K if the region's status hadn't changed.

Abdullah remarked that if the conditions in Jammu and Kashmir had not been altered in 2019, residents of the part of the territory across the LoC might today be protesting to reconnect with India. He invoked the slogan of his ancestors, "Attackers beware, Kashmiris are prepared," suggesting that the decision made in 1947 to fight against Pakistani raiders was justified. He emphasized that the people in PoK are considered "our own," and seats are reserved for them in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly with the hope that they will one day occupy them.

That part of Jammu and Kashmir is ours. We consider those people as our own. Seats are still kept for them in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly with the hope that one day those people will be able to use those empty seats.

— Omar AbdullahEmphasizing the connection to PoK residents and the reserved assembly seats.

The Chief Minister also reaffirmed his government's commitment to restoring statehood and other constitutional guarantees to Jammu and Kashmir. He assured the public that his administration would continue to represent them and work towards achieving the vision of those who fought for the region's freedom. The remarks come amid ongoing tensions and actions by Pakistani forces in PoK.

We are for you, we will continue to represent you and work to bring Jammu and Kashmir to the level envisioned by the people who fought for freedom and were martyred.

— Omar AbdullahReiterating his government's commitment to restoring Jammu and Kashmir's status.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hindustan Times in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog