Amid outbreak, Pak raises Kashmir

Notwithstanding recording around 1,559 coronavirus cases and 14 deaths on its own soil, Pakistan on Sunday tried to play politics with the Kashmir issue once again by linking it to the coronavirus pandemic. Islamabad issued a statement calling for “release of prisoners and lifting of restrictions” on Jammu and Kashmir and linking it to the pandemic on a day when a second person reportedly died of the virus in the Kashmir Valley.

According to reports, J&K Union Territory has so far seen two deaths while about 38 persons have tested positive for the dreaded virus. However, the entire India has so far seen less than 1,000 positive cases of the virus, with about 25 deaths.

In a statement on Sunday, from Islamabad said, “Pakistan is deeply concerned over continued restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir, despite so many confirmed cases and two deaths due to Covid-19.”

It may be recalled that

Islamabad has been desperately trying to internationalise the Kashmir issue in the past eight months after India revoked Article 370 in August last year that had granted special status to J&K, proceeding to divide the erstwhile state into two Union Territories. Islamabad has so far miserably failed in its efforts, getting support only from all-weather friend China and two of its other friends, Turkey and Malaysia.

◗ Pakistan on Sunday said it is deeply concerned over continued restrictions in J&K despite so many confirmed cases and 2 deaths due to Covid-19