Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Asif Yasin Malik (Defence Analyst): The recent statement of Lieutenant Governor of Indian Illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir about AJK is nothing more than a wishful thinking. It is yet another manifestation of the Indian leaders' aggressive designs, which remain a constant threat to regional peace and stability. Such statements are also often used by Indian politicians to fool their voters. It is pertinent to mention that such baseless claims cannot change the facts of history and the legal status of Jammu and Kashmir which is internationally recognized disputed territory. As far as people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir are concerned, they are very well cleared about their future and are happy with Pakistan. India cannot mislead the whole world on Kashmir issue as there several UN resolutions on Kashmir are pending. So India should immediately vacate its illegal occupation of IIOJ&K and give the Kashmiris their right of self-determination. Instead of making such statements should focus on its internal issues where already several separatist movements are going on.

Ali Sarwar Naqvi (Former Ambassador): Indian leaders time and again make anti-Pakistan and especially Kashmir related statements as part of their domestic political campaigns. The recent statement of Lt Governor of IIOJ&K about status of Kashmir is nothing but day dreaming. The extremist Hindutva mind-set was even against the creation of independent Pakistan. India will never succeed in its nefarious designs rather it will have to vacate its illegal occupation in Kashmir valley. On the contrary, India must reciprocate positively to Pakistan and should work for peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute in best interest of whole region.