Conflict

Interlocutor will talk within the Indian constitution so its a non-starter, says Pak Diplomat

Former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has said that the newly appointed interlocutor to Kashmir has to talk within the framework of the Indian constitution which makes it a non-starter already.

In an interview to Pakistan Today,  Basit said, “I have already tweeted that he is to work within the Indian Constitutional framework, it would remain a non-starter. We are already hearing from different sources that he would not engage different groups, “Basit said.

The Pak diplomat also added that without taking Hurriyat on board, nothing can be resolved. He also pointed out that since the killing of Hizb Commander Burhan Wani Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Mohammad Yasin Malik have joined hands and formed the Joint Resistance leadership.

“Whenever they announce a schedule of strikes and protests that is strictly followed by all Kashmiris. So to say that Hurriyat has become irrelevant is slightly out of place for me.”

According to Basit, Hurriyat represents the political aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

“I don’t think, given my own experience, that you can achieve peace or resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute without taking the Hurriyat onboard,” Basit said.

Government of India recently appointed Dineshwar Sharma, the former Intelligence Bureau chief as interlocutor to start a sustainable dialogue to achieve peace in the state. The government has said that Sharma will talk to all stakeholders, including Hurriyat leaders.

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