Shiv Sena latches on to Afridi’s comments

Mumbai: The Shiv Sena on Friday latched on to former Pakistani cricketer Shahid Afridi’s remarks that his country “does not want Kashmir” and said all sane Pakistanis would endorse the view.

In an editorial in its mouthpiece Saamana, the party on Friday said that the Pakistan government and military chief gave more importance to terrorism to harm India rather than the welfare of Pakistan and its people. This style of functioning has forced them to seek external financial aid even 70 years after Independence.

The Pakistani all-rounder can be heard saying in a video, which has gone viral, “I believe that Pakistan does not want Kashmir, and India too should not be given the state. Kashmir should be an independent country.” He further added that “humanity” or “insaniyat” should be prioritised.

Mr Afridi had also said, “Pakistan can’t handle its four provi-nces”.  However, he took U-turn over his statement and has blamed the Indian media for construing him out of context. Speaking on the matter, Mr Afridi has now said that Kas-hmir belongs to Pakistan.

The Sena had further stated, “Pakistan has be-come so poor in trying to support terrorism an-d corruption that it now is left with only the opt-ion of selling cattle and vehicles from the Prime Minister’s residence.”

The party also claimed that Pakistan was on the verge of a financial breakdown and it had been relegated to begging for a bailout from countries like China.