• Source:JND
HighLights
  1. Pakistan Defence Minister questioned PoK residents' Kashmiri identity.
  2. PoK PM Rathore condemned remarks, demanded apology from Asif.
  3. Asif's comments sparked controversy amid ongoing PoK protests.

Tensions between Pakistan's government and the administration in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have intensified after a war of words between Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and PoK “Prime Minister” Faisal Mumtaz Rathore. The row erupted after Asif made remarks questioning the Kashmiri identity of people from Rawalakot, which drew sharp criticism from Rahtore.

PoK PM Slams Khawaja Asif

Rathore on Friday said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir do not need anyone's approval to prove their identity. In a post on X, he accused Asif of creating divisions instead of promoting unity. “People of Jammu and Kashmir do not need validation of their identity from Defence Minister of Pakistan @KhawajaMAsif or anybody else for that matter. Boomers such as him and their antics are creating divisions instead of bringing people closer,” he wrote on X.

Rathore Demands Apology

Rathore furtherhat after facing criticism over his remarks, Asif was trying to shift attention by questioning the governance of PoK. He urged the Pakistani minister to apologise instead of blaming the PoK government. “After noticing backlash on his faux pas, he's now covering up by finding faults in Azad Jammu and Kashmir's governance. Sir, ask your higher-ups and they'll tell you how well we've governed. A more dignified act would be to address the elephant in the room and apologize for your original remarks instead of scapegoating our governance,” Rathore added.

ALSO READ: ‘Not Real Kashmiris’: Pakistan Defence Minister Faces Backlash Over Identity Remark On PoK Residents Amid Protests

Pakistan Defence Minister's Controversial Remark

The controversy erupted after Asif made remarks about people living in PoK amid ongoing protests in the region. In the viral video, he appeared to question the identity of people protesting in the region. One of his remarks, “You’re not Kashmiris,” became the main focus of criticism. He stated that he doesn’t consider people from areas like Rawalakot and Mirpur as “real Kashmiris.”

ALSO READ: 'Deflecting Attention': India Denounces Pak Minister's 'Will Go To War' Remarks Over Indus Waters Treaty, PoK Protests

Asif also pointed to the fact that many residents in these regions do not speak traditional Kashmiri and instead use languages such as Pothwari. Many commentators pointed out that his statement ignores the real concerns of residents and adds to their frustration instead of addressing their issues. UK’s Liberal Democrat peer Lord Lord Shaffaq Mohammed also condemned Khawaja’s remarks and demanded an apology from the Pakistani government.

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