NC: Indo-Pak dialogue imperative for peace

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, November 17

The National Conference (NC) on Tuesday said a comprehensive dialogue between India and Pakistan was imperative for sustained peace in the sub-continent.

The party’s provincial president for Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani, who met officials of the German embassy here in the city, also spoke about the need for peace and mutual cooperation in the sub-continent, highlighting that Kashmir had been the “worst victim of animosity” between India and Pakistan.

The delegation of the German embassy included Political Counsellor Carola Bruhn and Political Adviser Sakshi Arora.

The party’s provincial president said Kashmir could also serve to benefit the most “if efforts were made to improve ties between India and Pakistan”.

“There is no alternative to dialogue and both New Delhi and Islamabad should find common ground in the pursuit of peace, development and prosperity of its people. All outstanding issues can be resolved provided there is political will and persistence in a comprehensive process which is goal oriented,” Wani said.

The National Conference leader said the relative peace achieved in Kashmir in the past decade “needs to be built upon to ensure the dividends of peace help in addressing the trust-deficit between the two countries and within the state”.

“We have always advocated that the operational management of conflict is not an alternative to political engagement and that economic packages cannot resolve a political issue that has claimed so many lives,” he said.

The party’s provincial president also expressed “dismay and grief” over the recent attacks in Paris and said “there was no place for violence and terrorism in a civilised society”.