Pakistan is my country, its current scenario worries me: AJK PM

ISLAMABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider has clarified his statement on Kashmiris being uncertain about siding with Pakistan after Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification, saying he said so out of concern for the country’s current scenario.

Addressing a news conference in Islamabad on Sunday, Haider said his statement was over the decision of the Supreme Court regarding Sharif and that he still stood behind what he said on Saturday.

“I condemn the way my [yesterday’s] press conference is being presented,” he said. “I had addressed the conference as a Kashmiri.”

He added that a video of the session was available and could be referred to for clarification. While expressing displeasure over Sharif's disqualification, Hiader said Nawaz Sharif is his leader.

“I will speak over articles 62 and 63,” he maintained. “I’m not a pigeon to close my eyes [in troubled times].”

During the news conference, the AJK premier expressed his support, saying the future of Kashmiris was linked to Pakistan’s prosperity. 

“Kashmiris do not have any option other than Pakistan and have been trying to become a part of the country since the past 70 years.”