J&K politicians endorse PoK leader’s plea

Srinagar: Several political parties in Indian Kashmir have endorsed the statement of Pakistani Kashmir president Sardar Masood Khan that there is no military solution to Kashmir dispute.

Mr Khan had, while speaking to a delegation of 48th Pakistan Navy Staff Course participants in Muzaffarabad, said Pakistan always sought peaceful resolution on Kashmir through dialogues “but India is adamant to settle the issue through military might by suppressing the voice of Kashmiri people for their internationally recognized right to self-determination”. He also said that Indian “obstinacy” could push nuclear armed India and Pakistan to another devastating war. Kashmir’s chief Muslim cleric and senior separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq while agreeing to this observation said that India and Pakistan should pave the way for the implementation of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions on Kashmir or a tripartite dialogue in which participation of the Kashmiri representatives was “unavoidable”.

He said that no solution arrived at over the heads of the people of Jammu and Kashmir will be acceptable to them. Asked who could represent the people of the State at the proposed talks, the Mirwaiz said, “Their genuine representatives from both sides of the ceasefire line…those who represent their wishes and aspirations and not the ones who do but parrot New Delhi or Islamabad’s stance on the issue”. He alleged that it is the Indian “rigidity” which is “pushing the well-educated and skilled youth to the gun.”