Jammu & Kashmir - Articles

In its editorial, "Towards Peace", Alsafa (22 July 2004) observed that both India and Pakistan were moving forward in the direction of peace. "Speaking on the occasion of 25th SAARC conference, Pakistan Prime Minister, Chowdary Shajuat Hussein, said that peace must return to the entire subcontinent and the economy must flourish. Amid applause from the members, he said that Pakistan is committed to strengthen relations with India. In the current year, foreign ministers of two countries met in China and Jakarta and both expressed satisfaction over the outcome of talks." It continued, "In 2003, India and Pakistan were able to resume bilateral relations and during the current year, both countries took steps aimed at the resolution of bilateral issues and to reinforce peace process. Pakistan foreign secretary visited Delhi and both countries agreed on six rounds of talks commencing from July 1 till the August end.” The leadership must realize that millions of people are praying for the restoration of peace in the subcontinent, it concluded.

In Chattan (7-13 July 2004), Hamid Salak observed that Pakistan off late has brought about a change in its age-old Kashmir-centric stance. "Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riyaz Khokhar and his Indian counterpart Sheeshank discussed Kashmir issue in Delhi. The foreign secretaries seemed satisfied after the meeting but were not able to explain the furtherance of the dialogue or preferred reticence." It continued, "Both countries agreed upon to discuss many other issues as part of the meaningful dialogue in the next phase and these include Siachen, Wular Barrage/Tulbul project and Sir Creek besides cross border terrorism and drug trafficking. This indicates that Islamabad has pulled back from its Kashmir-centric stance, which it maintained was compulsory for the success of dialogue between the two countries. In other words, it could be said that Islamabad finally agreed to India’s prolonged demand of bowling out Kashmir issue as central between two countries.”

The bilingual Alsafa (4 July 2004), in its editorial, maintained, ‘Dialogue incomplete without Kashmiris’ commented that the participation of Kashmiris was a must for a result-oriented dialogue. "It is heartening to note that the new government has reinforced efforts for the restoration of peace in South Asia. Billions of people eager to see peace and prosperity returning to the subcontinent welcomed the Indo-Pak dialogue while noticing that the new government is keen to take forward the peace process with Pakistan." It continued, "Pertinent to mention that in the last month, Indian and Pakistan foreign secretaries met in Delhi and it was for the first time that they discussed the vexed Kashmir issue. Before this, Pakistan Foreign Secretary, Riyaz Kokhar met Kashmiri separatist leaders which include Chairman of People’s League, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, Democratic Freedom Party leader Shabir Ahmad Shah and JKLF President, Yasin Malik. Former Hurriyat Chairman, Umar Farooq and Chairman (Geelani group) Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani also met Kokhar. The talks between Kokhar and separatist leaders yielded positive results and Pakistani foreign secretary got to know the views of separatist leaders." The inclusion of Kashmiris, the main party to the dispute, is a must for the permanent settlement of Kashmir issue, concluded the editorial.

The editorial, ‘PM’s statement regarding talks with Hurriyat" in Aftab (31 July 2004) commented on Manmohan Singh’s statement on the Center-Hurriyat dialogue. "Manmohan Singh while answering the question posed by a journalist said that government of India would talk to Hurriyat Conference in near future and efforts would be made to restore peace in the Kashmir Valley. This was an inconvenient question asked untimely, but nevertheless Manmohan commented on it. Needless to say that this question was contrary to the circumstances prevailing in the subcontinent." It continued, "Dr. Manmohan Singh probably doesn’t know that chairman Hurriyat (Abbas group), which had held two rounds with the Union government has resigned from the Chairmanship leaving this faction of Hurriyat headless. Also, this (Abbas) faction of Hurriyat is so afraid of holding talks with the Union government for obvious reasons. Pertinent to mention that Abbas faction has so far held two rounds of talks with the Union government and unfortunately there was no substantial outcome of these talks." The editorial further said, "Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani too has out rightly rejected the Center-Hurriyat dialogue and it believes that without Pakistan the dialogue would be futile. Therefore, everybody fails to understand as to why Prime Minister talked about the Center-Hurriyat dialogue."

Srinagar Times (1 July 2004) observed in its editorial that "Pakistani diplomats seek the reason, which led to the bifurcation of the organization (Hurriyat) and Hurriyat leaders seek opinion to overcome bifurcation and forge unity. It is believed that Sayeed Ali Shah Geelani on 25th of June met Khokhar only to discuss the dissensions in the Hurriyat. Though the former chairman of Hurriyat, Umar Farooq has gone to Delhi to express his solidarity with Bhushan Bazaz who lost his son only recently but Umar may cash upon the opportunity and apprise Khokhar of prevailing situation in the valley." It continued "Newspaper reports say that Khokhar would try to bring together the two factions of Hurriyat but for him it would be difficult as both factions are equally reluctant to join hands with each other." It is the same Hurriyat Conference, which was a symbol of unity for the Valley people, but it is now a victim of bifurcation where both factions speak different languages. The organization is losing its credibility very fast, concluded the editorial.