Keep talking for peace: Shabir Shah

Srinagar, July 16: Urging India and Pakistan to continue with the dialogue process in the best interest of restoration of peace in the sub-continent, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chief Shabir Ahmad Shah said any move to allow it go astray now will be a big blunder.

However, he said lasting peace in the region was possible only when we address the core Kashmir issue as per the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Talking to UNI, he expressed concern over the reports that India has decided to snap the dialogue process with Pakistan.

''It will be a Himalayan blunder for India if they back out from the process, he said adding whatever has been achieved during all these three years will go waste.'' ''India's decision to cancel the secretary level talks with Pakistan will take the people of the sub-continent to square one again, he said.

Mr Shah a senior most separatist leader in the state, said the process has generated a condusive atmosphere in the region and people have attached much expectations with it.

Reacting to foreign secretary Shyam Saran's statement on the dialogue process with Pakistan, Mr Shah said it was not in good taste.

There are elements on either side of the border who donot want the dialgoue process to succeed because of their vested interests, he said.

We should not allow them(those who oppose peace) to succeed, he said and expressed the hope that the process will continue despite such inhuman acts by people who belong to no religion or region.

Mr Shah said People of Kashmir have generated a lot of hope in the India-Pak peace process because it the people they who suffered the most.

He said the Kashmiri leadership too welcomed the India and Pakistan peace process and agreed to join the process at a later stage for final settlement of Kashmir issue.

The DFP chief said no lasting peace in the sub-continent was possible without addressing the Kashmir issue. Other issues can be resolved within one year after Kashmir, he added.

About the recent bomb blasts in Mumbai and attack on tourists in Srinagar, Mr Shah said those responsible for such inhuman attacks are the enemies of entire humanity.

They belong to no religion or region, he said adding people in general on both countries are peace loving and wanted to live peacefully with each other.

Mr Shah said it was unfortunate to blame Pakistan for these blasts.

When Pakistan president Pervez Musharraft himself said he was ready to help the investigation in the Mumbai blasts, India should accept it, he said adding there was not a single proof which suggests Pakistan was involved in these attacks.

UNI