Senior PDP leader and Education Minister Nayeem Akhter here on Monday said that the parliament members had gone to meet the separatists leaders unconditionally and the intent and purpose of Chief Minister sending invitation letters to the separatist leaders had to be understood.Talking to KNS Akhter said ‘Parliament members representing the entire country stood at the gates of the separatist leaders for talks on Kashmir. Since they were part of the all party delegation headed by Union Home Minister Rajnath , So it is a matter of understanding.India is a party to the dispute and the parliament members of country had gone to separatists with some intent and purpose”. Stating that nothing happens itself but dialogue is the only way to resolve issues the senior PDP leader said ‘Kashmir missed a chance but not for ever.We will continue to pursue the path of dialogue and resolution. We hope separatists realize the necessity to talk sooner than later”. Dialogue has not to be between stone and pellet or bombs and bullets but between highly respected human beings, the senior PDP leader said “ the parliament members who had gone to separatists were carrying the message of solidarity with the people of Kashmir and represented the country”.
Saying that parties to the dispute come to the table with a stated position and then discusses the ways and means of give and take, the PDP leader said “The visit of the All party delegation was a big opportunity and necessity of dialogue has to be understood”. In reply to a question on the attempt of engagement with the detained separatist leaders by some parliament members the Education Minister said “If the release of separatist leaders was a pre condition, we would love to do that”.Stating that gun, war ,threatenings are not methods of resolution Akhter said “ Peace is to be given a chance than making Kashmir a battle ground of hostile interests. In reply to a question on the invitation of the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti as PDP President to separatist leaders the senior PDP leader told KNS “ It did not matter in which capacity Chief Minister wrote to separatist leaders but what matters is the intent and purpose with which she had written to them”.Stating that when people established torture cells and talked about bombarding Pakistan PDP promoted the idea of dialogue, the Education Minister said “ Agenda of Alliance is a document which is full of explanations on all issues”. (KNS)