'Pre-1947 Kashmir status may pave way for solution'

Jammu, Apr 16: All Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman and moderate leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has advocated for restoration of pre-1947 status to Jammu and Kashmir and stressed it would help in resolving the Kashmir issue.

Addressing Actual Line of Control (ALoC) in Poonch district yesterday, Mirwaiz said the pre-1947 status of Kashmir as it was on 14 August, 1947, should be restored if Central government actually wanted any solution of Kashmir issue.

''The subject should also be considered as the travel document for those desiring to meet their separated ones along LoC.'' Without mentioning 'self- rule' or United Nation's formula of Kashmir' he said before proceeding to solve the issue, the state's past status must be restored.

Mirwaiz said the withdrawal of Indian troops would be the first step towards resolution of Kashmir problem. ''During my Pakistan visit I worked out that Islamabad wants such solution of the dispute which is acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

UNI