Srinagar
Former Pakistan ambassador to India Abdul Basit on Monday said that Pakistan should abandon its apologetic stance and move towards active diplomacy to revive the Kashmir issue at international forums.
Basit was addressing journalists at the seminar titled “Indian Designs to Change Demography of Kashmir — Violation of UN Resolutions and International Law”, organised by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and the Kashmir Institute of International Relations (KIIR), dawn.com reported
He said that even though India wanted to start dialogue with Pakistan, it was not ready to speak about Kashmir. On the other hand, he added, Pakistan believed that Kashmir remained a major bone of contention between the two countries as several wars had been fought over it so far. “We need to make a productive policy as the people of Kashmir are not ready to accept the Indian control. We don’t have to start backdoor diplomacy as it will not be productive,” he said.
He suggested that Pakistan should focus on border management along with reconciliation.
Addressing the participants of the seminar, Jamaat-i-Islami chief Siraj ul Haq said India wanted to effect demographic change in Kashmir, which was why Kashmiris should consider abandoning family-planning methods.
“It is unfortunate that not a single international human rights organisation has been allowed to go to IHK. However, I am sure that the Kashmiris will never stop their legitimate struggle,” he said.
AJK President Masood Khan said several children had been killed and buildings demolished to bring about demographic changes to show that the Muslims were a minority in Kashmir.
“After killing Burhan Wani, India has been trying to give Kashmiris the message that they should negotiate, otherwise the special status of Kashmir would be withdrawn,” he said, suggesting that the issue be taken up at international forums.
