Addressing a press conference that can be streamed online, Afridi reportedly said that Pakistan does not need Kashmir if they can't manage four provinces, further stressing that Kashmir should be independent.
Former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi on Wednesday made a statement on Kashmir that may be prove to be an embarassment to the Imran Khan-led government.
Addressing a press conference that can be streamed online, Afridi reportedly said that Pakistan does not need Kashmir if they can't manage four provinces, further stressing that Kashmir should be independent.
"People in Kashmir are dying and it hurts a lot to see innocent dying, whatever religion they may belong to. The people should be allowed to be independent for the sake of humanity," he said.
“Neither India nor Pakistan should be given control of Kashmir, instead Kashmir should be allowed to evolve as an independent country”, he further told the press.
In April this year, Afridi made a staement on the situation in Kashmir, by calling it 'India-occupied Kashmir'. "Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir.Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren't they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?" he had tweeted then.
Responding to the statement, several cricketers responded, including India captain Virat Kohli. “As an Indian, you want to express what is best for your nation & my interests are always for the benefit of our nation. If anything opposes it, I would never support it for sure. But having said that, it's a very personal choice for someone to comment on certain issues. Unless I have total knowledge of the issues & the intricacies of it I don't engage in it but definitely, your priority stays with your nation.”
Strangely though, Afridi shares a warm relationship with India and its cricketers.
From sharing pleasantries with Indian captain Virat Kohli to posing with the tricolour during the Ice Cricket tournament in Switzerland, Afridi has won many hearts in India for his friendly nature.
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