'Modi committed fatal mistake by revoking J&K's special status', Imran Khan

As Pakistan observed the Kashmir Solidarity Day, Prime Minister Imran Khan alleged that Narendra Modi revoked the state's special status because he got mandate after using Islamabad as a scapegoat in the election.

Islamabad: Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday said that his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi committed a "fatal mistake" by revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the Legislative Assembly of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, Khan also alleged that Modi did it because he got mandate after using Islamabad as a scapegoat in the election.

"Modi made a fatal mistake, one that he could not step back from. He cannot go back from where he has taken India. The genie of Hindu nationalism is out of the bottle and it cannot be put back," he said.

Khan also claimed that the chain of events would "finally result in the independence of Kashmir".

His remarks came as Pakistan observed the Kashmir Solidarity Day, with the top leaders extending their support to the Kashmiri people. The day is observed every year on February 5 by Pakistan.

"It is my faith that Kashmir will become free after the August 5 action by Modi. If he had not taken this step, we would not have been able to highlight it to the world," he said adding that it was "our duty" to inform the world about it.

New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of its Constitution on August 5 that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir. India has categorically told the international community that its move to scrap Article 370 was an internal matter and has also advised Pakistan to accept the reality.

In his address, Khan also criticised Modi's statement to conquer Pakistan in 7-10 days. "No normal man can say such a thing," he said.

Addressing the National Cadet Corps in New Delhi, Modi last month said that the Indian armed forces won't take more than a week or 10 days to make Pakistan bite dust.

Khan said that Islamabad should not give any opportunity to New Delhi to divert the world's attention from Kashmir. "Either they will launch false flag operation or launch crackdown in Kashmir by using the threat of terrorism," he claimed.

He added that it was a political and diplomatic fight and Pakistan should avoid the trap laid by India.

Khan once again talked at length about the RSS and linked it to Nazi philosophy.

"Thrice I explained to the US President DonaldTrump the issue of Kashmir," he said.

The premier also demanded immediate lifting of the restrictions and communications blackout in Kashmir.

President Arif Alvi in his message said that India by abrogating Article 370 has directly contravened the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.

Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi in his message reaffirmed Pakistan's unstinted political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people.

With inputs from PTI