Srinagar: A destabilized Pakistan is dangerous for all countries, including India, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah said here on Wednesday.
The remarks of the former Union minister came a day after Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf chairman Imran Khan was arrested in a corruption case.
“A destabilized Pakistan is dangerous for all countries including our own country. We want a stronger and a democratic Pakistan where democracy flourishes, which will also improve its relations with India,” Abdullah, the president of the National Conference (NC) told reporters.
Abdullah said the internal situation in Pakistan was “very dangerous” and its economic condition was also very bad.
“Heavy floods hit the region last year, and many areas are still impacted by that. The people there are still suffering. In such circumstances, the situation turning like this is more dangerous,” he said.
The three-time chief minister of J&K said while the situation in the neighbouring country was dangerous, it had a history of such events.
“If you look at Pakistan’s history, since independence, the first PM was assassinated, then (Zulfiqar Ali) Bhutto was hanged, then his daughter Benazir Bhutto fell to bullets. Now, Imran Khan is the fourth former PM, who has been jailed. I hope to God that his life is saved,” he added.
Reacting to the developments in Pakistan, another former chief minister and chief of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mehbooba Mufti said, “In Pakistan, democracy lies in tatters. Perhaps the only silver lining is an independent judiciary and a fierce media holding the establishment accountable unlike the world’s largest democracies.”
She said while political representatives are being arrested on “frivolous grounds” in the neighbouring country, the other institutions necessary for checks and balance have not been “subverted yet”.
