Recently, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khwaja Asif claimed that the Shehbaz Sharif government and the Congress-National Conference alliance plan to restore Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. This comes as Pakistan prepares for assembly elections, the first since the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in 2019.
In an interview with Geo News, Asif suggested that the Congress-National Conference alliance will likely form the new government in Jammu and Kashmir. The Mint highlighted this issue as central to the campaign. Both Pakistan and the Congress-National Conference alliance are pushing to reinstate Article 370 and 35A.
The National Conference has pledged to restore Article 370, while Congress has stayed silent on the issue, leaving it out of its manifesto. However, Congress has promised to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s full state status.
The abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state into two Union Territories remain sensitive issues in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the valley. The National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti’s PDP have made restoring Article 370 a key focus.
Khwaja Asif’s comments have given the BJP a chance to attack Congress. The BJP accused Congress of siding with those opposed to India’s interests. BJP IT cell chief Amit Malvya tweeted, “Pakistan supports Congress and National Conference on Kashmir. Why does Rahul Gandhi and Congress always align with those against India’s interests?”
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala also targeted Congress, saying, “The truth is out. Any doubt? They are ready to align with Pakistan to oppose PM Modi.”