Jammu, March 4th: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, addressing the state Assembly, emphasized that there is no valid comparison between the divided regions of Kashmir, asserting that the situation across the border remains dire despite Pakistan receiving substantial support from China. His remarks came amid a heated exchange between National Conference (NC) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators over development in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Abdullah stressed that every part of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed significant development without relying on assistance from foreign countries, unlike the infrastructure advancements in PoK, which he attributed to Chinese intervention.
The debate was sparked when NC legislator and former minister Saifullah Mir suggested that border infrastructure in PoK was superior while advocating for the construction of a tunnel to ensure all-weather connectivity to remote areas like Keran and Jumagund in Kupwara district. His statement provoked objections from BJP MLA R S Pathania, who criticized the comparison, arguing that any positive remarks about PoK were unwarranted. In response, NC MLA Nazir Gurezi and People’s Conference leader Sajad Gani Lone defended Mir, highlighting the hardships faced by residents of border areas, particularly during harsh winters when snowfall cuts off essential road links for months.
As the debate escalated, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather intervened to maintain order but later sought clarification from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah regarding Mir’s remarks. Pathania, addressing reporters outside the Assembly, strongly objected to Mir’s statement, asserting that he had praised a hostile nation with which India shares no diplomatic ties. He pointed out that India had refused to send its cricket team to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and accused the neighboring country of actively promoting separatism and terrorism in India.
During a subsequent discussion on the Lieutenant Governor’s address, BJP MLA Sham Lal Sharma continued to question Mir’s comments. Mir, in response, denied any intent to glorify PoK and defended his party’s nationalist credentials, emphasizing that the National Conference had made immense sacrifices in the fight against terrorism, with its workers, legislators, and ministers falling victim to militant attacks. Gurezi further supported Mir, using an analogy to justify the observation, stating that merely acknowledging someone’s well-made coat does not mean endorsing them. His remarks, however, caused a brief uproar in the House.
Recognizing the rising tensions, Abdullah urged the members to maintain decorum and clarified that Mir’s statement had been misunderstood. He acknowledged that while infrastructure had been developed in PoK, it was primarily for display purposes and not undertaken by Pakistan independently but with Chinese backing. He asserted that the reality on the ground remained bleak, with no substantial progress in other parts of PoK. In contrast, Jammu and Kashmir had advanced significantly without seeking assistance from foreign powers such as China, the United States, England, or France.
The chief minister reiterated that development should be pursued wherever necessary and that unnecessary arguments over comparisons should be avoided. He added a lighthearted remark, suggesting that while the people across the border may have received coats, those coats had empty pockets, drawing laughter from the assembly.
Before resuming his speech, Sharma took a moment to acknowledge BJP MLA Shagun Parihar, whose father, Ajit Parihar, and uncle, Anil Parihar, were assassinated by terrorists in Kishtwar in November 2018. He solemnly remarked that terrorist bullets do not discriminate, underscoring the sacrifices made by people across the political spectrum in Jammu and Kashmir.