“China is a strong supporter of the right to self-determination. The assertions of Omar Abdullah on the presence of the Chinese army in Azad Kashmir are half-truths, immature and meaningless.” Hurriyat Conference (Geelani faction)

Samaan Lateef

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, March 14

Hardline separatist faction Hurriyat Conference, led by Syed Ali Geelani, today confirmed the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) saying that troops were there as part of the Sino-Pak trade agreement.“Unlike India, China has not attacked and forcibly occupied the Pakistan-administered Kashmir but the presence of the Chinese army in Pakistan-administered Kashmir is under a mutual agreement between Pakistan and China,” said Hurriyat spokesperson Ayaz Akbar.Maintaining a pro-Pakistan line, the Hurriyat spokesperson said the presence of Chinese troops in PoK was part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) process and “pro-freedom people have no reason to oppose this move”.Castigating former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for questioning the presence of Chinese troops in PoK, the Hurriyat said, “China is a strong supporter of the right to self-determination. The assertions of Omar Abdullah on the presence of the Chinese army in Azad Kashmir are half-truths, immature and meaningless.”After media reported that Chinese troops were spotted at forward posts along the Line of Control on the Pakistani side of Kashmir, Omar on Sunday hit out at separatist groups for maintaining silence.“How is it that Kashmiri leaders who have so much to say about Indian troops in J&K have nothing to say about Chinese troops across the LoC?” Omar had tweeted.