Pak has important role in K-resoluition: CM Omar

SYED ALI SAFVI

SRINAGAR, Oct 25: Echoing the words of head of three-member interlocutors’ panel, Dilip Padgaonkar, that had evoked strong criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), chief minister, Omar Abdullah, today said that Pakistan had an important role in resolving the Kashmir issue.

Talking to media persons after his meeting with the visiting panel of interlocutors at his Gupkar residence, Omar lashed out at BJP, accusing it of playing “dirty politics”.

Pertinently, Padgaokar’s statement that Pakistan’s involvement was a imperative for a permanent solution of Kashmir had sparked controversy on Saturday with BJP asking the PMO to clarify “if this was part of the brief to the team”.

BJP spokesperson, Nirmala Sitharaman, had slammed Padgaonkar for his comment that Pakistan had to be involved for a permanent solution of the Kashmir issue. Sitharaman had asked the PMO to clarify “if this was part of the brief to the team”.

Padgaonkar, however, retorted back yesterday, saying: “We have not been briefed by the government of India. What I have said with regard to Pakistan is the obvious. I have not said anything that has not been said before. I have not exceeded my brief as we did not get any brief. The Home Minister has said there are no red lines or boundaries. We know what we are doing.

Referring to BJP’s criticism of Padgaobkar’s statement, Omar said that BJP must be aware of the fact that when Atal Bijhari Vajpayee visited Pakistan he also discussed Kashmir issue with Pakistan leadership.

“Why is it that you people have a problem when the interlocutors want to discuss Pakistan,” he said. “Pakistan has an important role in resolving the Kashmir issue, which cannot be ignored."

Omar also advised the three-member panel of interlocutors that they should meet common Kashmiris instead of political leaders, and said that the panel’s Kashmir visit was a small step towards restoring peace in the grief-stricken valley.

Welcoming their appointment of interlocutors on Kashmir, the chief minister said that it was a fresh attempt of New Delhi to resolve the Kashmir issue.

“The visit of interlocutors will pave the way for initiation of dialogue process,” he said.

Admitting that the visit was not enough to turn the tables in Kashmir, Omar hoped that the interaction of panel of interlocutors with the denizens of the valley would help in creating an atmosphere for dialogue.

Assuring full cooperation and support to the visiting panel, Omar advised them to hold talks with common people of Kashmir.

“To feel the real pulse of Kashmiris, they (interlocutors) must meet common people here,” he said.

He said that the panel of interlocutors told him that they wanted to spend ten days in every month in Kashmir.

“They said that they want to visit Baramulla, Anantnag, and other villages and town in the valley so that they could meet as many people as possible,” he said.

Referring to the statement of Indian Army chief, General VK Singh on AFSPA, Omar said that India is a democratic country and the right to take decisions rested with its political leadership.

“Army is bound to accept the decision taken by the government,” he said.

Taking a dig at Geelani-led Hurriyat faction for issuing shutdown calendars, the chief minister said that the developmental works would not have any kind of impact on the Kashmir issue.

“These strikes, therefore, have no justification,” he said.

He also refused to have had any intelligence input regarding possible militant attack in the state in the wake of United States (US) president, Barrack Hussain Obama’s visit to India next month.

Meanwhile, the three-member panel also met governor, NN Vohra, at Raj Bhavan here last evening. In four-hour long meeting with the governor, the panel discussed political, economic, security, governance and other related issues with him.

The panel also visited the Rawalpora residence of the incarcerated senior separatist leader, Shabir Ahmad Shah and inquired about the health of his ailing mother. They also expressed concern over the deteriorating health of Shah in the jail.