SRINAGAR: National Conference President Dr. Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said there was no alternative to a comprehensive dialogue process between India and Pakistan and that both nuclear-powers should realize the importance of amicably resolving the Kashmir Issue without any further delay.
Dr. Farooq Abdullah said political uncertainty viz-a-viz the Kashmir issue was not only detrimental to peace but also deprived the people of Jammu and Kashmir of a politically and economically secure future.
Dr. Farooq was addressing party workers and activists at the mausoleum of his father and former CM Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah at Naseem Bagh here on his 110th birth anniversary.
A large number of party workers offered Fateha at the gravesite.
Addressing party workers and activists, Dr. Farooq said there were various proposed models of resolving the Kashmir Issue and his suggestion of converting the Line of Control into the International Border was one such viable option based on realism an option he has articulated time and again. People on both sides of the LoC cannot continue to suffer till eternity for want of a lasting political solution to the Kashmir Issue. Both India and Pakistan are nuclear powers and war is not the answer. Those who think that borders can be redrawn need to realize the realities and dimensions of this conflict. While this is one such solution, we are open to any other viable solution that is mutually acceptable to India and Pakistan and primarily to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Its time to end this perpetual suffering which manifests itself variably in different forms of violence and hostility. The costs of this conflict cannot be borne by the people of Jammu and Kashmir till eternity. Both India and Pakistan are duty-bound to address this issue and seek its resolution, Dr. Farooq said.
I have always opposed violence as a means to an end and firmly believe political engagement alone can resolve our miseries. The turmoil that engulfed the State for nearly two decades brought nothing but death and destruction with it as we lost thousands of our children to violence and militancy. The complete lack of a political direction and narrative viz-a-viz the Kashmir Issue is dangerous. Today, there is absolutely no talk of the Kashmir Issue and its resolution within the State and in Delhi as both PDP and BJP have perhaps entered into an agreement to sideline this core political issue.
Turning a blind eye towards this problem will not resolve it. National Conference has always encouraged both New Delhi and Islamabad to address the Kashmir Issue and we will continue to assert this crucial political demand, Dr. Farooq added.
Earlier, party Working President Omar Abdullah visited Naseem Bagh, early in the morning and offered Fateha.
Omar said upholding the values of secularism and pluralism would be the best tribute to Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah.
While speaking to reporters at the venue he said Sheikhs legacy of selfless leadership and his commitment to the timeless ideals of pluralism and secularism needed to be emulated today to defeat divisive He said Sheikh Abdullahs visionary leadership and foresight brought about an unprecedented political and economic revolution in the State
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