The Hurriyat leaders have welcomed the US push for dialogue on Kashmir even as the PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed the disclosures by the American President Donald Trump during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan as a “huge policy shift”.
“Being the most affected party, the people of Kashmir want an early resolution to the lingering Kashmir conflict. I have been urging for dialogue at all levels. Every effort, pushing India and Pakistan in that direction by @POTUS is welcomed by the people of J&K,” said Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in his tweet and later on reiterated in a statement by him.
He said India and Pakistan were two responsible nuclear powers and should they decide, both could get back to the table and a process could start where the concerns of all sides could be considered and addressed and steps initiated towards resolving the long-pending dispute over Kashmir.
“The USA and all other nations can play a role in asking both neighbours to talk and resolve the festering Kashmir conflict once and for all,” he said.
The chairman of the hardline faction of Hurriyat, Syed Ali Geelani, also welcomed the US push for dialogue.
“The US has to play its role for the freedom of Kashmir. We are thankful to Pakistan for raising the issue of Kashmir. It’s a long-pending dispute and has consumed more than three generations. It continues to threaten the existence of yet another generation in J&K,” he said.
“Kashmiris living across the globe not only welcome his statement but also thank President Trump for this bold initiative. The JKLF welcomes the offer and takes it as a breakthrough,” JKLF spokesman Muhammad Rafiq Dar said in a statement.
Huge policy shift: Mehbooba
PDP leader and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti termed Trump’s statement a “huge policy shift”. “Despite GoI refuting idea of third party mediation on J&K, the disclosure made by Trump marks a huge policy shift. Even though the USA doesn’t hold a great record in resolving protracted conflicts, hope both countries seize this opportunity to forge peace through dialogue,” she tweeted.
Trump talking out of his hat: Omar
“Personally I think @realDonaldTrump is talking out of his hat when he says @PMOIndia asked for US involvement in solving the Kashmir issue but I’d like to see @MEAIndia call Trump out on his claim,” NC vice-president and ex-Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted.
