Pakistan's imprisoned former prime minister Imran Khan expressed his viewpoint on India's Supreme Court decision, asserting that the verdict endorsing the abrogation of Article 370 would "further complicate" the Kashmir issue, according to a statement from his political party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf. The Supreme Court's unanimous support for the Indian government's August 2019 decision to revoke Article 370, which granted special status to the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, was deemed by Khan as a blatant violation of UNSC resolutions. The party's statement conveyed Khan's stance that the court's decision would exacerbate the long-standing conflict in Kashmir rather than contribute to its resolution.
While incarcerated in Rawalpindi's Adiala jail, Khan emphasized his party's commitment to extending comprehensive diplomatic, moral, and political support to the Kashmiri people. The statement referred to Khan as "Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman-for-life" and highlighted his recognition of the Kashmir issue as a primary point of contention between Pakistan and India. Khan recalled the strong reaction of the PTI government, led by him, to India's attempts to alter Kashmir's special status in 2019, citing the subsequent downgrade of diplomatic ties between the two nations.
Despite Khan's previous desire to establish positive relations with India, he explained that after August 5, 2019, such efforts were impeded because of the unwillingness to compromise on the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. Khan underscored his commitment to prioritizing national interests while navigating the complex dynamics surrounding the Kashmir issue.
