Khurshid slams Pakistan army chief over Kashmir remark

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid on Saturday slammed the Pakistani Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif for remarking Kashmir as `jugular vein` of his country, saying that the armed forces should refrain from making such comments. Addressing a ceremony to mark Martyr`s Day at Rawalpindi in Pakistan, Sharif called for the resolution of the Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the people of Kashmir.

Khurshid crticised Sharif for the statement which he clarified was an issue which should come only within the dialogues of the civilian authorities of the countries. "He has mentioned Kashmir in a manner which is unwholesome and unacceptable. These are matters which frankly-it is not right for me to advise him -- but matters that are best left to bilateral discussions between the civilian authorities. This is not the realm of the Armed Forces to be discussed publicly," said Khurshid. He also added that the Pakistan army should focus more into other burning problems of the country caused by militant outfits like Taliban and al Qaeda. Meanwhile, speaking about Congress vice-president, Rahul Gandhi`s comment that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would cause violence after coming to power, Khurshid said that he is not aware of the circumstance and context of his comment. He continued that the advisors of Rahul Gandhi would look into the matter and will clarify it. "The circumstance and context in which he spoke will be looked into by his (Rahul Gandhi) advisors and fellow Congressmen and it will be clarified," he added.