Resolve K-issue politically: Farooq

Tribune News service

Srinagar, July 11

National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said there was a need to resolve the Kashmir issue by a composite dialogue between India and Pakistan and people of Jammu and Kashmir on the either side of the border.

The former Chief Minister was talking to mediapersons on the sidelines of a function to offer special prayers at the mausoleum of his mother Begum Akbar Jehan on her 19th death anniversary. NC vice-president Omar Abdullah, senior party leaders and a number of workers also offered special prayers at the mausoleum in Naseem Bagh here.

“Kashmir is an issue between two (India and Pakistan) countries… it is also in the UN and, therefore, UN observers are located on both sides of the Line of Control,” Farooq commented. He urged India and Pakistan to resume dialogue and sought the two neighbouring countries to initiate dialogue with people.

“Dialogue is important to resolve the (Kashmir) issue. Whatever the results of talks with political leaders on the two sides of the border, it should be acceptable to all,” he said, adding that nothing else than a dialogue would lead to the resolution of the pending issue.

He said the people in all three regions of the state — Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh — should “acknowledge” the solution that comes out of the dialogue process. He said India as well as Pakistan should not feel betrayed by the solution that comes out of the dialogue process.

Meanwhile, NC leaders paid glowing tributes to Begum Akbar Jehan. The party general secretary, Ali Muhammad Sagar, said she carried forward the mission of Sher-e-Kashmir to realise a dignified place for the people and ensuring their empowerment.