News
Sunday, July 25, 2010
IHK CM demands dialogue with PakistanBy Iftikhar Gilani
NEW DELHI: Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday demanded the pursuance of external dialogue (with Pakistan) as well as initiating internal dialogue to address political component of problems in Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a high-level meeting, presided over by Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, the IHK chief minister also called for an “informed discussion” between New Delhi and Srinagar on the future of Kashmir in the light of recommendations of a working group set up by the prime minister.
He not only emphasised a forward movement in a time-bound manner, but also stressed the need for dialogue and political initiative.
Demanding amendments to the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and re-orientation of the security forces, the IHK chief minister called for a time-bound implementation of the recommendations of confidence-building measures (CBM) as suggested by the working groups.
“Economic reconstruction of Azad Jammu and Kashmir is inextricably linked with the political resolution of the grievances and aspirations of a pluralistic society as ours,” he said.
He said though some steps were taken on improvement in the conditions of people from terrorism-affected areas and for the trans-LoC movement of people and goods, yet the absence of facilities have affected these measures.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk