Imran Khan questions world’s silence on Kashmir situation

islamabad — Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday questioned the international community’s “silence” on the Kashmir situation and warned that “if ethnic cleansing of Muslims takes place in the region, there would be severe repercussions”.

Pakistan observed India’s Independence Day on Thursday as “Black Day” amid heightened tensions between the two neighbours following New Delhi’s move to scrap Article 370 granting special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

“Will (the) world silently witness another Srebrenica-type massacre and ethnic cleansing of Muslims in IoK,” he asked. “I want to warn the international community that if it allows this to happen, it will have severe repercussions and reactions in the Muslim world, setting off radicalisation and cycles of violence,” the prime minister wrote on Twitter.

On Wednesday, Khan celebrated Pakistan’s Independence Day in “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” (AJK) to express “solidarity with the Kashmiris”.

Addressing a special session of the AJK Legislative Assembly in Muzaffarabad, Khan had said that any “miscalculation” on the part of New Delhi would elicit a “tit-fortat” response from Islamabad.

“The Pakistan Army is battlehardened and it is fully ready to respond to any violation by India. The entire nation is ready and stands alongside its armed forces,” Khan had said. Pakistan on Thursday observed ‘Black Day’ on the occasion of India’s Independence Day to protest New Delhi’s move to revoke the special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

Black flags were hoisted on roof tops and vehicles across the country to symbolise the protest.

Protest rallies were taken out in major cities, while seminars were organised at various places to highlight Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue. The profile pictures of the Twitter handles of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Foreign Office, ISPR Director General, Radio Pakistan and many others were also blacked out in protest. —

I want to warn the world if it allows this to happen, it will have severe repercussions and reactions in the Muslim world setting off radicalisation, and cycles of violence. Imran Khan@ImranKhanPTI

AP sOLIDARITY: Pakistani Kashmiris hold an anti-India rally in Islamabad to show solidarity with Kashmiris. —

Reuters BLACK DAY: Police try to stop protesters of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference during a rally near the Indian High Commission in Islamabad. —

AFP HALF-MAsT: Pakistani national flag flies half-mast on the Parliament building in Islamabad on Thursday. —