News Desk |
Former cricketer Shahid Khan Afridi has urged people to join him at Quaid-e-Azam’s mausoleum in Karachi to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir following Prime Minister Imran Khan’s call to observe Kashmir Hour on Friday.
Afridi expressed his support for the efforts made by Prime Minister Imran Khan to solve the Kashmir issue. In his tweet, he announced he would be present at noon at Mazar-e-Quaid on Friday to mark Kashmir Hour. The cricketer also informed that he would soon be visiting the LOC and will visit the home of martyrs (Shuhda) on 6th September.
Let’s respond to PM call for Kashmir Hour as a nation. I will be at Mazar e Quaid at 12 pm on Friday. Join me to express solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren.
On 6 Sep I will visit home of a Shaheed. I will soon be visiting LOC.— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) August 28, 2019
Shahid Afridi’s Support for Kashmir Cause
Shahid Afridi has been vocal on the Kashmir issue, repeatedly calling on for its resolution. The cricketer condemned the indiscriminate killings in Kashmir, and criticized the state of India for their atrocities in the IOK. He has several times demanded the right of self-determination and freedom for the people of Jammu Kashmir. However, Afridi has remained under the radar of criticism from Indian media for repeatedly raising the issue at various international forums.
Last year, Shahid Afridi hailed PM Khan’s offer of dialogue to India with the intent to reinstate and stabilise peace between the two countries. In a tweet the former skipper asserted, “I totally support Imran Bhai! I have always maintained the same. Justice must be delivered; Kashmiris must get to decide their future.”
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the nation on Monday, had announced that an event would be held every week to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir, starting with Friday (Aug 30) between 12pm-12: 30 pm.
Shahid Khan Afridi, supporting the stance, stated that the people of Kashmir must be given the authority to decide their future.
In a video that went viral on social media, Afridi was seen addressing Pakistani students at the British Parliament and said that Kashmir would be better off as an independent state since Pakistan is struggling to handle its own four provinces.
He stated, “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.”
Gautam Gambhir’s Diatribe Against Afridi
Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir, biggest detractor of Shahid Afridi, once again slammed him for his messages on Kashmir. Reacting to Shahid Afridi’s call to mark Kashmir Hour on Friday, cricketer-turned-politician Gautam Gambhir ensued a tirade of unwarranted criticism against Shahid Afridi, passing derogatory remarks against the Pakistani cricketer.
Read more: Kashmir tension: Afridi Gambhir face off on Twitter
“Shahid Afridi is asking Shahid Afridi that what should Shahid Afridi do next to embarrass Shahid Afridi so that’s it’s proven beyond all doubts that Shahid Afridi has refused to mature,” wrote Gambhir, who is now a legislature of the ruling party BJP.
“[I] am ordering online kindergarten tutorials for help,” he added.
Guys, in this picture Shahid Afridi is asking Shahid Afridi that what should Shahid Afridi do next to embarrass Shahid Afridi so that’s it’s proven beyond all doubts that Shahid Afridi has refused to mature!!! Am ordering online kindergarten tutorials for help @SAfridiOfficial pic.twitter.com/uXUSgxqZwK
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) August 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1166758177544818691?s=20
Both the cricketers had a face-off on social media following India’s revocation of Article 370 and 35-A which scrapped off Kashmir’s special autonomy in India’s constitution.
Indian ex-cricketer Gautam Gambhir took a swipe at Pakistan’s Shahid Afridi after he urged the United Nations to intervene in the move to bring the state under the national government’s direct rule.
“Kashmiris must be given their due rights as per #UN resolution. The rights of Freedom like all of us,” Afridi wrote on Twitter.
“Why was @UN created & why is it sleeping? The unprovoked aggression & crimes being committed in Kashmir against #Humanity must be noted. The @POTUS must play its role to mediate.”
Shahid Afridi has been vocal on the Kashmir issue, repeatedly calling on for its resolution. The cricketer condemned the indiscriminate killings in Kashmir, and criticized the state of India for their atrocities in the IOK.
Gautam Gambhir slammed Shahid Afridi in his tweets, asserting that, “@SAfridiOfficial is spot on guys. There is “unprovoked aggression”, there r “crimes against humanity.” Adding, “He should be lauded for bringing this up. Only thing is he forgot to mention that all this is happening in [Azad Kashmir] don’t worry, will sort it out, son.”
Kashmir Hour
Declaring himself the ambassador of the people of Kashmir, Prime Minister Imran Khan announced to dedicate an hour on Friday to the people of Kashmir, who are living under siege since the past few weeks following India’s complete communication blackout in the valley.
The Pakistan Armed Forces also supported PM Khan’s decision to mark Kashmir Hour on Friday. The spokesperson of Pakistan Army, DG ISPR Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor, announced that the national anthems of Pakistan and Kashmir would be played on noon on Friday, August 30th.
Sirens will also be blared for ‘Kashmir Hour’, mentioned Ghafoor while addressing a press conference held to discuss ceremonies for Defence and Martyrs Day 2019, which is to be observed on September 6.
“They (India) have played their trump card, they don’t have any cards to play now. Now whatever needs to be done will be done by us and the world,” added Ghafoor at the press conference.
Read more: PTI Minister Afridi urges Western leaders to aid peace in Kashmir
He also appealed to the youth of Pakistan to participate in the initiatives, urging national heroes and people from the entertainment industry and media representatives to join them in expressing solidarity with the people of Kashmir.
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information, Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan, stated today that Pakistan would give a “strong message to the world by expressing solidarity with the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir on Friday.” She added that people would come out on the streets and stand in solidarity with the people of Kashmir for three minutes.
Prime Minister Imran Khan, while addressing the nation on Monday, had announced that an event would be held every week to show solidarity with the people of Kashmir, starting with Friday (Aug 30) between 12pm-12: 30 pm.
Celebrities Support the ‘Kashmir Hour’
Scores of celebrities including Faysal Qureshi, Fakhr-e-Alam, Humayun Saeed, and Bilal Ashraf pledged their support for the Kashmir cause on social media.
Pakistan our PM has asked us to show support for Kashmir cause everyday. Especially this Friday we all have to assemble from 12 noon to send a reminder to the world that we must not remain silent during human sufferings. Please join me & many others like me to support Kashmir.
— Fakhr-e-Alam S.I & S.E (@falamb3) August 28, 2019
Ameen #KashmirWantsFreedom https://t.co/ZGxy8jqGfI
— Faysal Quraishi (@faysalquraishi) August 26, 2019
Must raise our voice against injustice & violence & must register our protest in response to PM Imran Khan’s call for #KashmirHour. Unfortunately I’m not in the country but regardless of where I am, I fully support this initiative. Friday 12PM. Do participate!#IStandWithKashmir
— Humayun Saeed (@iamhumayunsaeed) August 28, 2019
Let’s all respond to PM call for Kashmir Hour as a nation. I will be at Jehangir Kothari Parade Clifton at 12 pm on Friday. Join me to express solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren.
On 6 Sep I will visit home of a Shaheed. #StandForKashmirOnFri— Bilal Ashraf (@IamBilalAshraf) August 28, 2019