KL Report
Srinagar
Expressing displeasure over sidelining of Kashmir issue by India and Pakistan, Hurriyat Conference (M) Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said that the lives of people in entire south Asia would continue to remain affected as long as Kashmir issue is not resolved.
“If the issue is not resolved, the lives of crores of people in the sub continent will not improve. The issue demands urgent attention and resolution, which cannot be sidelined or put in a cold storage”, Mirwaiz said while talking to local news agency, KNS.
Mirwaiz said the process of consultations with different sections of society before the Pakistan visit was important for making the visit fruitful and beneficial.
“Pakistan visit is very important. It should be fruitful. We don’t want it to be a mere event or photo session. It has to be productive and suggestions from civil society will make it so”, he said, adding\ “disputes like Siachen and Sir Creek between the two countries cannot be linked with Kashmir”.
“Kashmir issue is a humanitarian issue. It is not a land dispute between the two countries. Solution of Kashmir issue will pave way for resolution of all other disputes between the two countries”, hesaid.
When asked whether the aim of consultations with different civil society groups and trade organizations was aimed at arriving at some kind of a formula for solving Kashmir, he said that their primary concern was to ensure that Kashmir issue is not put in a cold storage.
“The main issue is to ensure participation of Kashmiris and real Kashmiri leadership in finding a solution to the issue”.
The Hurriyat Chairman said that he also intended to hold deliberations with separatist leaders outside his faction of Hurriyat Conference.
The Hurriyat Chairman reiterated his demand for inclusion of Kashmiri’s in the dialogue process between India and Pakistan. “We will urge Pakistan to press for inclusion of Kashmiris in the talks. We are the primary party to the Kashmir dispute and no solution can be acceptable which does not take our sentiments and aspirations on board. They cannot sideline the Principal party,” Mirwaiz said.
He said that bilateral talks between Pakistan and India or Confidence Building Measures cannot solve the vexed Kashmir issue. “India cannot hide from reality for long. Kashmiri’s have to be included in talks as it is we who are suffering because of the dispute,” Mirwaiz said adding, “We want to hold Composite consultations regarding different contours of Kashmir along with political and economic issues. We wish to get suggestions on all issues”.
He said the consultation will begin on November 20 and for this purpose people involved with trade and commerce have already been invited. “We have invited 30 different organizations for consultations including the Cross LoC trade associations”, he said.
