Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday (August 7, 2026) dismissed Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s criticism of the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5, 2019, saying Pakistan should stop interfering in India’s internal affairs and instead focus on alleged human rights violations in the territory under its control.
CM Omar was responding to statements of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar marking August 5 as “Youm-e-Istehsal” or the day of exploitation, referring to the abrogation of Article 370 by India in 2019.
“But aren’t they the ones committing human rights violations in the part of Jammu and Kashmir that is under their occupation? They are the ones violating human rights there, aren’t they? So many people have been killed in recent days,” Mr. Omar said, replying to a question on the remarks by the Pakistan Prime Minister.
Lashing at Mr. Shariff or describing the August 5 decisions as a human rights violation, Mr. Abdullah said the issue is India’s internal matter and has nothing to do with Pakistan.
“We have our own dispute over the August 5 decision, but that is our internal matter. Pakistan has nothing to do with it. They should stop interfering in these matters because the more they interfere, the weaker our case becomes,” he said.
The Chief Minister accused Pakistan of overlooking the situation in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, alleging that serious human rights violations are taking place there.
“Human rights violations are taking place in the part of Jammu and Kashmir under Pakistan’s occupation. They should address those issues, stop the killings allegedly being carried out by their Rangers and improve the condition of the people there,” CM Omar said.
He said Jammu and Kashmir’s internal issues would be addressed within the country’s democratic and constitutional framework.
“As for our side, whatever we have to achieve through our own efforts, we will do ourselves. But they should not interfere in our affairs”, he added.
