In the video of the press interaction shared on YouTube, Afridi can be heard telling reporters "people in Kashmir are dying and it hurts a lot to see innocent dying, whatever religion they may belong to. The people there should be allowed to be independent for the sake of humanity.”
Taking a dig at Pakistan's poor administration, Afridi said: “Pakistan does not need Kashmir; It is not able to even handle the four provinces it has.”
“Neither India nor Pakistan should be given control of Kashmir, instead Kashmir should be allowed to evolve as an independent country”, he further told the press.
Afridi’s statement comes at a time when Pakistan is raking Kashmir issue world over at different international podiums, while India has always maintained that Kashmir issue is a matter very internal to India. Newly elected Prime Minister Imran Khan had said in his victory speech that Kashmir is the core area of concern between India and Pakistan.
This is not the first time Afridi has made a comment on the Kashmir issue. Previously his tweet referring to “Indian Occupied Kashmir” had outraged Indian fans. He had written
“Appalling and worrisome situation ongoing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Innocents being shot down by oppressive regime to clamp voice of self determination & independence. Wonder where is the @UN & other int bodies & why aren’t they making efforts to stop this bloodshed?” he had written on the social media platform.”
After this, Afridi faced a backlash from the Indian cricket community as well.