Former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah demands opening of dialogue with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah opined that the appointment of an interlocutor to resolve the Kashmir issue would be a futile issue unless dialogues are initiated with Pakistan also.

Incidentally the Union Government has appointed an interlocutor to carry forward a sustained dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir.

Rajnath Singh, the Union Home Minister announced the Government's interest in starting and continuing sustained dialogue with stakeholders on the Kashmir issue. "We want to open dialogues with elected representatives, political parties, individuals and associations of Jammu and Kashmir. We want to understand the aspirations of the people" stated Minister Singh.

Dineshwar Sharma, former IB Chief has been appointed the interlocutor to carry out the task. Sharma a retired IPS officer of the 1976 batch of the Kerala cadre has a good understanding of the Kashmir issue. He is also credited for bringing peace in certain regions of the North East also.

Former Jammu and Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has however criticized the move and demanded that dialogue should be initiated with Pakistan also. "Pakistan occupies a part of the State which India holds as her own. To resolve the Kashmir issue Pakistan has to be consulted also. Pakistan is also one of the parties to the problem" demanded Abdullah.

National Conference is of the opinion that unless dialogue is initiated with Pakistan appointment of interlocutors are a futile exercise as with the cases of past instances of appointment of interlocutors.

However Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has welcomed the appointment of Sharma as the interlocutor stating that Sharma in the past has been closely working with the Kashmir issue and has a sound understanding.

"This dialogue initiative is in line with P.M @narendramodi's 15th August speech na goli se, na gaali se, Kashmir ke samasya suljhegi gale lagaane se (sic)" she has tweeted, hailing PM Modi's initiative.

Sharma has stated that he would leave for Kashmir in the next 10 days. "My role is different from the police and army. My job is to ensure peace in the region and find out a permanent solution. I am open to talks. I will talks to anyone or any party interested to talk to me" stated Sharma.

OneIndia News