Javed Miandad, Pakistan’s former captain has advised his fellow cricketers against meddling in and voicing opinions on politically fragile issues, to avoid controversies. The advice came in the wake of Shahid Afridi’s remarks on the Kashmir conflict and dragging his country down to humiliation with his statements at the House of Commons, London.
The Kashmir issue was raised in an international event hosted by UK Member of Parliament Rehman Chishti.
Afridi first said that Kashmir should be left alone and should not belong to Pakistan or India. “I say Pakistan does not want Kashmir, let’s not give it to India either. Make Kashmir autonomous, then at least humanity would live,” he said.
Despite many in Pakistan agreeing with him, Afridi later immediately took to Twitter to accuse the Indian media of misquoting him and entirely reformed his stand.
Through a tweet, he said that the quote was “out of context” and said, “Kashmir is under a brutal Indian occupation.” The cricketer further went on affirming “Kashmir belongs to Pakistan”
He added that the clip is incomplete and has been taken out of context.
Afridi said 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.”
