Mirwaiz for institutionalising dialogue process

Islamabad, Jan 19: All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has called for the ''institutionalisation'' of the dialogue process between India and Pakistan, giving due representation to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

''India and Pakistan are important parties to the Kashmir issue but Kashmiris are the main party. Thus, their involvement in the dialogue process is essential,'' the Associated Press of Pakistan quoted him as saying on arrival in Lahore from New Delhi.

Accompanied by the amalgam leaders Prof Abdul Ghani Bhatt and Mr Bilal Lone, the Mirwaiz will meet leaders from both Pakistan and the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir and held discussions on the ''various options'' available for solution of the Kashmir issue.

The Mirwaiz said the four-point Kashmir formula suggested by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf for the resolution of the vexed issue ''could provide a good beginning''.

Gen Musharraf's proposal envisages demilitarisation, self-governance and joint management in the Jammu and Kashmir region.

The APHC chief said India should reciprocate President Musharraf's proposals and work for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.

''Intransigence had been the hallmark of Indian policies towards Kashmiris over the last six decades. However, the positive response shown by India to President Musharraf's Kashmir proposals demonstrates that the status quo was not acceptable to the Kashmiris and Pakistan,'' he said.

''It is time that the Pakistani leadership, along with its PoK counterpart, should evolve a common strategy to force India for a solution of the Kashmir issue,'' the separatist leader said.

UNI

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