Here is what Imran Khan said in his remarks regarding Indian election.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has said there may be a better chance of peace talks with India if Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wins the upcoming general election even as he claimed Muslim-ness is being attacked under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rule.
The cricketer-turned-politician said that a government led by the Congress party might be too scared to talk to Pakistan.
Khan was talking to a small group of foreign journalists when he made the remarks, Reuters reported.
Here is what Imran Khan said regarding Indian election: (With Reuters inputs)
1. Some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached if BJP wins: Pak PM
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Perhaps if the BJP - a right-wing party - wins, some kind of settlement in Kashmir could be reached: Imran Khan
(Photo: PTI)
2. 'Congress might be too scared'
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Imran Khan said that if the next Indian government were led by the opposition Congress party, it might be too scared to seek a settlement with Pakistan over Jammu and Kashmir, fearing a backlash from the right.
(Photo: PTI)
3. 'Muslim-ness is being attacked in Modi's India'
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PM Khan said Muslims in Kashmir and Muslims in general were facing massive alienation in Modi's India.
"I never thought I would see what is happening in India right now," said the cricketer-turned-politician. "Muslim-ness is being attacked."
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief said Indian Muslims he knew who many years ago had been happy about their situation in India were now very worried by extreme Hindu nationalism.
(Photo: Reuters)
4. Imran Khan sees similarity between Modi and Israeli PM Netanyahu
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Comparing Modi with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Khan said both leaders were electioneering based on "fear and nationalist feeling".
(Photo: DNA)
5. BJP's promise on Articles 370, 35A major concern: Khan
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Khan said the BJP's promise to repeal Article 35A of the Constitution, which ensures special land rights to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, was a major concern, though it could also be electioneering.
The BJP released its manifesto on Monday, reiterating its commitment to repeal Article 370, which gives Jammu and Kashmir a special status, and Article 35A, which allows the state's legislature to define permanent residents.
(Photo: Reuters)
6. Determined to dismantle all Pakistan-based terror groups: Imran Khan
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The Pakistani Prime Minister added that Islamabad was determined to dismantle all Pakistan-based terrorists in the country and that the government had full support from Pakistan's powerful army for the programme.
Khan said Kashmir was a political struggle and there was no military solution, adding that Kashmiris suffered if armed militants from Pakistan came across the border, leading to Indian army crackdowns.
Relations between Pakistan and India reached a crisis point in February after a suicide bombing killed 40 CRPF jawans in Pulwama.
The February 14 attack was claimed by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed but Islamabad denied responsibility. Twelve days later, the Indian Air Force carried out cross border airstrikes against terror training camp in Pakistan's Balakot.
A day later Pakistan responded with its jets crossing the border to target Indian military installations but were pushed back. India lost a MiG-21 jet and in the dogfight and also shot down an F-16 of the Pakistani Air Force.
(Photo: Reuters)
7. Imran Khan fears Indian military action against Pakistan before polls
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Khan said there was still the possibility if the polls turn against Modi in the next few weeks that India could take some further military action against Pakistan.
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi warned on Sunday that Islamabad had "reliable intelligence" that India would attack again this month. India described the claim as irresponsible.
Khan said that it was vital for Pakistan to have peace with its neighbours, Afghanistan, India and Iran, if it was to have the kind of economy needed to pull 100 million people out of poverty.
(Photo: Reuters)
8. Polling begins tomorrow
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Election for 543 Lok Sabha is to be held in seven phases and will begin from April 11 and end on May 11. The first phase of polling for 91 seats will be held on Thursday.
The counting of votes will take place on May 23.
(Photo: PTI)
9. Oppn leaders latch on to Pak PM's remarks to attack PM Modi
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Congress spokesperson Sanjay Jha tweeted, "Hey PM Modi, Pakistan PM Imran Khan loves you. He wants you back. What’s cooking, boss??? So all this hyper-nationalism is only a charade, right???? We always knew."
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah tweeted, "So much for Modi Sahib telling the country only Pakistan & its sympathisers want BJP to lose. Imran Khan has just endorsed him for a 2nd term."
"Just imagine what all the “Chowkidar” handles would be doing to @RahulGandhi & the Congress right now if Imran Khan had endorsed RG as PM in these elections? Who is the “tukde tukde” gang now?" he added.
PDP leader Mehbooba Mufti mocked BJP supporters over Khan's remarks. "Bhakts scratching their heads & at wit ends wondering if they should praise Imran Khan or not," she said.
(Photo: DNA)
