Updated August 26th, 2019 at 23:23 IST

Imran Khan tells Pakistanis to stand up against India, literally

Imran Khan in an appeal to his nation, asked his countrymen to stand up for half an hour in solidarity to Kashmir after being snubbed from the global community

Reported by: Aishwaria Sonavane
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Pakistan  PM Imran Khan in his address to the nation, asked the people of Pakistan to stand up for Kashmir, literally, every Friday between 12 to 12:30.

During the address, the Pakistan PM Imran Khan appealed to the people of Pakistan to stand by Kashmir every week, as an effort to show solidarity over the abrogation of Article 370 and the subsequent communication blackout in the state. 

He said, "We should give Kashmiri people a message that we are with them. We will do an event every week, in schools, universities and officies. This Friday, from 12 to 12:30, you must stop work and stand with the public to tell the people that we are with Kashmiri people. Those who are at home, should also get on the streets, so that people should know we are standing with them." 

READ| Imran Khan appoints self- 'Kashmir ambassador', netizens mock Pak PM 

Muslim nations on Kashmir

Pakistan has been the only country to condemn New Delhi's abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir and the subsequent communication lockdown, military deployment and detainment of mainstream Opposition leaders. 

The Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), a grouping consisting of 57 member states maintained its silence over the abrogation of Article 370, despite Pakistan appeal to show solidarity over Kashmir. 

According to Pakistani Foreign Ministry, representatives from Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan and other OIC member countries attended the meeting held on August 6, even then, no member-nation has come forward to back Islamabad against New Delhi.  

READ| Imran Khan claims win, even as Trump upholds 'Kashmir is bilateral'

Despite Islamabad seeking to internationalise the Kashmir issue, a crucial Muslim nation, Saudi Arabia urged "restrain," but did not manifest any interest to mediate the issue. Whereas, the UAE explicitly called the issue an "internal" matter. Meanwhile, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman maintained had their lips zipped over the Kashmir issue. 

Outlining his government's future strategy on Kashmir, Khan said: "First, I believe, the entire nation should stand with the Kashmiri nation. I have said this that I will act as Kashmir's ambassador".

Donald Trump- PM Modi bilateral meet on Kashmir

Even as Donald Trump said that Kashmir is bilateral issue, Pakistan PM Imran Khan on Monday addressed his nation on Kashmir. Speaking at his briefing, Khan claimed that it was due to Pakistan that international community is speaking about Kashmir. Imran Khan said: "Our victory is that we have internationalised this issue. UN meeting made it internationalised. They have got cautious. We told International media and International media has also picked it up."

READ| PM Modi at G7: Trump backs off on Kashmir, "Modi has it under control"

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Published August 26th, 2019 at 23:13 IST