'On Same Page': Congress-NC Alliance's Stand on Article 370 Backed by Pakistan Defence Minister

Islamabad: Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has claimed that the Shehbaz Sharif government and the Congress -National Conference (NC) alliance share a common stance on restoring Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on Hamid Mir's "Capital Talk" on Geo News, Asif said, " Pakistan and National Conference- Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu and Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A."

This statement comes as Jammu and Kashmir has completed the first phase of its Assembly elections, with two phases remaining. The elections are the first since the special status of the region was revoked in 2019. Asif's remarks underscore the ongoing regional tensions and political complexities surrounding the issue.

Following Asif's statement, the BJP condemned the alignment, with BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawala criticising the Congress -NC alliance for its stance. 

Taking to X, the spokesperson said, “ Pakistan ’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Hamid Mir’s Capital Talk on Geo News says, ' Pakistan and National Conference- Congress alliance are on the same page in Jammu & Kashmir to restore Article 370 and 35A.' Was there ever any doubt? Today the cat is out of the bag. For Modi Virodh, they can even stand with Pakistan . Congress -NC ka Haath Pakistan ke Saath.”

While the National Conference has pledged to restore Article 370, the Congress has remained silent on the issue and has not included it in its manifesto. However, the Congress has committed to restoring full statehood status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The revocation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the former state into two union territories continue to be highly emotive issues for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the Valley. The restoration of Article 370 is a key focus in the manifestos of the National Conference and Mehbooba Mufti's PDP.

India serves notice to Pakistan demanding review of Indus Water Treaty

This statement by the Pakistani defence minister has come to light a day after India has served a formal notice to Pakistan seeking a review of the 64-year-old Indus Water Treaty, citing "fundamental and unforeseen" changes in the circumstances and impact of persistent cross border terrorism. The notice was issued to Pakistan on August 30 under Article XII(3) of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), government sources said on Wednesday.

India and Pakistan signed the IWT on September 19, 1960 after nine years of negotiations with a sole aim to manage cross-border rivers.

India's notification highlights fundamental and unforeseen changes in circumstances that require a reassessment of obligations under various articles of the treaty, the sources said.

Among various concerns, the important ones include change in population demographics, environmental issues and the need to accelerate development of clean energy to meet India's emission targets, they said.

India also cited the impact of persistent cross border terrorism as one of the reasons for demanding the review.