Kashmiri separatist leader Amanullah Khan has said that Pakistan's founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah supported the independence of Kashmir and never wanted it to be a part of Pakistan.
Jinnah never termed Kashmir a jugular vein as claimed by some, Khan said offering to take severe punishment if he was proved wrong.
"As a matter of fact the Quaid-i-Azam (Father of the nation) supported independence for Kashmir," Khan was quoted as saying by The News on Wednesday.
Jinnah declared in his policy statement issued on June 17, July 11 and July 30, 1947 as President of the All India Muslim League that Indian princely states had every right to declare independence in addition to their right to join India or Pakistan, he said.
Those who claim that Jinnah termed Kashmir as the jugular vein of Pakistan should show at least some news items dated before September 11, 1948 (the day Jinnah died) supporting their claim, he added.