K-solution not in raining bullets, says Pakistan army chief
New Delhi: The All Party Delegation (APD) that visited Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday pitched for dialogue with all stakeholders which the government reciprocated by saying it was prepared for discussions with all but made no reference to separatists Hurriyat Conference.
At the three-hour long meeting of the APD, which visited the state on September 4-5, demands were made for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue, confidence building measures and a “dual track” approach for bringing peace in the restive Valley.
The meeting, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who led the delegation, made it clear that there would be no compromise on national sovereignty.
The political parties appealed to the people of the state to shun the path of violence and resolve all issues through dialogue and discussion. “The members of the delegation are of the opinion that there is no place for violence in a civilised society. There can be no compromise on issue of national sovereignty,” the resolution, read out by Minister of State in PMO Jitendra Singh, said.
While the resolution requested the central and state governments to take steps for dialogue with all stake holders, Left Parties batted for resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue and announcement of confidence building measures like withdrawal of AFSPA from civilian areas. Without making any reference to separatists including Hurriyat Conference, the APD statement asked the Central and state governments “to take steps for a dialogue with all stake holders”.
While some opposition leaders met Hurriyat Conference leaders lodged in various sub jails, hardliner Syed Ali Shah Geelani refused to meet them.
Asked whether separatists would also come under the purview of “stakeholders”, MoS in PMO said the Home Minister is open for dialogue with “all stake holders”. He did not elaborate. To a similar question, Congress leader in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said the separatist amalgamate is part of the “all stake holders”.
Meanwhile, in a fresh escalation in the continuing Indo-Pak war of words, army chief General Raheel Sharif has spoken about “raining” of bullets on people in the Kashmir Valley and made veiled references to India by talking of “covert and overt intrigues of enemies”.
Describing Kashmir as Pakistan’s “lifeline”, he said the true solution to the Kashmir issue lies not in “raining bullets” upon people in the Valley but in “heeding” to their voices and respecting their aspirations.
“Kashmir issue can only be resolved by implementing the UN Resolutions,” he said during a ceremony marking ‘Defence Day’ in Rawalpindi yesterday. Kashmir is Pakistan’s “lifeline” and “we shall continue our diplomatic and moral support to the freedom movement at all levels,” Raheel said.
Backing the demand for self-determination in Kashmir, he said the “oppressed people” of the Valley are once again suffering “worst form of state terrorism” and “repression” for demanding their due rights. In a veiled reference to India, he said Pakistan was aware of conspiracies by “enemies”.
“We are fully aware of all covert and overt intrigues and intentions of our enemies. Be the challenge military or diplomatic, be the danger on the borders or within the cities, we know our friends and foes all too well. We know well how to abide by bonds of friendship and how to avenge upon our enemies,” Raheel said. (PTI)