Pakistan knew Kashmir’s autonomy would go, did nothing, claims Hamid Mir

Pakistan was aware that the Indian government had planned to abrogate Kashmir’s limited autonomy in August 2019 and did nothing to counter it, a high-profile Pakistani journalist has claimed.

The claim was made by Hamid Mir, a reputed journalist of Pakistan who said the issue of the abrogation of Articles 370 and 35A – that guaranteed the limited autonomy and protected demographic character of Kashmir – was discussed at Pakistan’s powerful National Security Council meeting.

Mir said the meeting was held at Pakistan capital Islamabad “three days prior” to the 5 August 2019.

Pakistan’s National Security Council is chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan and its military attendees include chiefs of Army, Navy, and Air Force.

The claim made by Mir is astounding as Islamabad had expressed surprise and shock over New Delhi’s abrogation of Kashmir’s limited autonomy.

The journalist claimed that the meeting in Islamabad was also attended by Raja Farooq Haider, the Prime Minister of Pakistan administered of Kashmir, who had suggested countering New Delhi’s planned move.

“Raja Farooq Haider was informed (at the meeting) about what will happen in Kashmir in the next two-three days. Article 370 and 35A were talked about. When Mr. Raja (Farooq Haider) suggested the ways it should be countered, nobody agreed to him,” Mir said.

Mir, who spoke at a Jamaat-e-Islami organized National Conference on Kashmir on 3 February 2021 that was held in the run-up to Pakistan’s annual Kashmir Solidarity Day, also urged Haider to “show courage” and reveal the details of the meeting. “It should be clear that nothing happened all of a sudden,” Mir said.

Mir also said that Islamabad’s attempt to give provisional status to Gilgit Baltistan would end the mandate of United Nations resolutions on Kashmir. He said the administration in Pakistan is also trying to gain consensus on changing the position of Line of Control into International Border. (TKW)