National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah has said that Indo-Pak talks cannot be put on the back-burner as the peace and prosperity of the sub-continent was at stake. Dr. Farooq Abdullah has also said that National Conference will continue to work for the political resolution of the Kashmir Issue and will continue to advocate a just solution that will be acceptable to the people of Jammu & Kashmir, to New Delhi and to Islamabad. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, while welcoming UN Secretary General Ban Ki Moon’s appeal to India and Pakistan to resolve their issues peacefully and through dialogue, said that political point-scoring and brinksmanship on the issue of ceasefire violations was unfortunate and disappointing.
According to a statement issued to KNS, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said the need for a sustained and comprehensive dialogue with Pakistan was crucial as there was no alternative to diplomatically engaging at various levels to resolve all points of friction and hostility between the two neighbors. “It’s very unfortunate that the Foreign Secretary level talks between New Delhi and Islamabad were cancelled. Meetings between Hurriyat leaders and Pakistani diplomats have been regular features around past instances of Indo-Pak talks including talks held during the tenure of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Yes, the ceasefire violations are condemnable and we ask for restraint and appeal that the sanctity of the Line of Control and the International Border is upheld and maintained at all costs”, Dr. Farooq said.
The National Conference President expressed dismay and disappointment at the politicization of the ceasefire violations and said that attempts to score political points and indulge in brinksmanship would only make the situation worse to the disadvantage of primarily the people of Jammu & Kashmir and those who get displaced in the frontier areas. “Such behavior internally will only exacerbate the situation externally and on the border. Statesmanship calls for a consensus on such issues. The issue of displaced locals along the border is a humanitarian issue and should not be exploited for petty politics.
The State Government has been conscious to the sufferings of the displaced people and has always been at there disposal and will continue to extend all possible support to them”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah added.“I appeal to the leadership of both countries to choose the path of reconciliation and dialogue and shun the path of hostility. Human costs on both sides should be unacceptable. Every single life is precious and no people can better understand and articulate the need to safeguard human lives better than the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Both countries should talk to each other while respecting each other’s sentiments and sensitivities so that points of friction are eliminated”, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said while hoping that New Delhi and Islamabad would resume the dialogue process as early as possible. (KNS)