Hashim Qureshi for tripartite talks on Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 21 (UNI) Jammu Kashmir Democratic Liberation party (DLP) chairman Hashim Qureshi said the Kashmir issue can be resolved only through tripartite talks.

Stressing the need to build a consensus among the Kashmiri leadership, Mr Qureshi said, "we can only make India and Pakistan agree to our proposals when we have a united stand, when we speak in one voice." Mr Qureshi, who is organising a two-day conference on Kashmir next month, said if the leadership fails to reach a consensus at this crucial juncture, "the history and people of Kashmir will not forgive them." He said he has sent letters to all the local political parties and leaders inviting them to participate in the proposed two-day conference so that a consensus could be evolved among the leadership to determine a path for "restoration of rights" and a durable solution of the Kashmir issue.

"The world has now accepted that Kashmir issue is pending solution and can only be solved through tripartite talks," Mr Qureshi said.

The JKDLP leader, an accused in the hijacking of Indian airlines plane to Lahore in 1971, said the need for convenying the conference was felt as various proposals for the reservation of the vexed issue were coming from different quarters and "everyone is advocating talks." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh held a Roundtable in New Delhi and has announced to hold another roundtable in Srinagar in May which is a positive step in the direction of resolving the issue, Mr Qureshi said who among others attended the Roundtable.

He said his party believes that there is an urgent need to build a consensus of thought, action and approach to provide the people of Kashmir a united leadership to move forward with one voice to represent their wishes and aspirations in a forceful and effective way to determine a better and prosperous future for them.

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