While reacting to the visit of Indian interlocutor to Kashmir Valley to hold talks with stakeholders, Minister for Public Works and official spokesperson of Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Nayeem Akhtar Monday asked media not to jump the gun before the talks get started.Akhtar praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he kept his promise by appointing a special representative for Kashmir to hold talk.“The appointment of former Intelligence Bureau chief Dineshwar Sharma as the special representative reflected what the PM had said on Independence Day. PM had said that ‘Na goli se, na gaali se, baat banegi gale lagane se’ (Issues cannot be resolved by bullets or abuses, but by hugs) and Sharma’s appointment was aimed at resolving the basic issue,” Akhtar told reporters at the opening of Darbar Move.“I advise media to stop jumping to conclusion. Let us wait for some time and see what happens on the ground,” Akhtar said in response to a question whether stakeholders will talk to Sharma or not.
When asked if the Hurriyat’s refusal to engage with Sharma was a setback, Akhtar, a veteran PDP leader, said “that is why talks are held. If there have been no issues, then need for talks would not have arisen”.He asked the media not to jump the gun before the talks get started. “It is a time consuming process,” he added, advising the media to afford sufficient time.
When asked about Pakistan PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi’s reported rejection of the idea of an independent Kashmir, much to the chagrin of Hurriyat, Akhtar cautiously responded that Jammu and Kashmir was an integral part of India, but has some issues that need resolution.“(There is) no need to be worried. Pakistan says something, Hurriyat something else, and we have a stated position (on Kashmir),” he said.On whether the PDP would ask Sharma for more autonomy for the state, Akhtar cited “agenda of alliance” document wherein he claimed all such issues have been discussed. (CNS)