PM Sharif cancels his address to nation on Kashmir issue

Lahore (Karachi): Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has cancelled his address to the nation on the Kashmir issue ‘, according to UNewsTV.

With an aim to cash in on the prevailing unrest in the Kashmir Valley after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani’s killing, Pakistan is today observing ‘black day’ to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

While addressing a cabinet meeting in Lahore on July 15, Prime Minister Sharif had announced to observe July 19 as a black day. However as Pakistan celebrates July 19 as ‘Accession to Pakistan’ Day, the Black Day observance was shifted on July 20.

However, asserting that Pakistan has no locus standi to discuss India’s internal issue, External Affairs Minister spokesperson Vikas Swarup said that “India completely and unequivocally rejects in the entirety the decisions adopted by the Pakistan Cabinet on situation in Jammu and Kashmir.”

“Pakistan has no locus standi in our internal matters. We hope Pakistan will desist from further interfering in India’s internal affairs,” he added.

The incidents of violence continue to crop up despite the Centre and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti urging the people to maintain calm and cooperate with the state government to restore peace in the valley.

After Burhan’s death, Kashmir is on boil and around 44 people have been killed and over 3,000 including 1,600 civilians injured in clashes between youth and security men during protests. (ANI)