By Nazir Ganaie, Agence India Press,
Srinagar: Supporting the remarks of one of the interlocutors about involving Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir dispute, Chief Minister of Indian administered Kashmir; Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that Pakistan definitely has a role in solving Kashmir issue.
“There is nothing new in the remarks of the Dilip Padgoankar. It is fact. After Shimla Agreement when ever India talked to Pakistan, Kashmir was a centre focus. It was discussed that all outstanding issues including the issue of Kashmir should be solved,” CM told reporters on the sidelines of the inaugurating function,” Omar said.
“Whenever interlocutors talk of Pakistan’s role in solving Kashmir dispute I don’t know why is blown out of proportion, why is it sensationalized? When Vajpayee Ji visited Pakistan, didn’t he discuss Kashmir? Is there not a resolution in Parliament where we want a part of Kashmir back from Pakistan? You include Pakistan in that, and when the interlocutors want to discuss Pakistan, you people have a problem with that. Pakistan has an important role in resolving the Kashmir issue, which cannot be ignored,” CM added.
The remark by Dilip Padgaonkar had created a controversy and he had come under attack by the BJP.
Ahead of American President Barack Obama’s scheduled visit India next month, J&K Chief Minister said that the state hasn’t any threat perception and has not received any threat intercepts.
According to Agence India Press reporter, Omar said, whatever we can do what are ready to do it. It is said when Former President of USA Bill Clinton visited India , Chatisingh Pora incident happened, but these people undersaimate this reality that after his visit another president of USA George Bush also visited india it was very peaceful here in Kashmir.
Earlier on Monday, the team of interlocutors – Dilip Padgaonkar, MM Ansari and Radha Kumar – met the Chief Minister and a cross section of people in Srinagar.
They got a somewhat hostile reception on Sunday with the separatists refusing to meet them.
The team had met journalists in the city and visited the Central jail and spoke to the inmates. They also initiated dialogue with militants.
Earlier CM said that the 5oooo people have gone unemployed due to the current unrest in Kashmir.
“This is very unfortunate that the more and more people are losing their jobs. We are trying to accommodate them but what we can do to a huge chunk of people are under the threat of losing the jobs,” Omar said.
Meanwhile in Baramulla, chief minister Omar Abdullah said that Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to strengthen agriculture, tourism, horticulture, and handicrafts in the state and empower people by making them self-sufficient.
“The honour and dignity of the people depends on their economic independence which can be only achieved if the population is self-reliant. The government is working tirelessly to strengthen the economy of the state,” he said.
Omar was addressing the largest ever ‘Kissan Mela’ yesterday in Baramulla, 52km from Srinagar.
He said the state government has given special focus to agriculture, horticulture, handicrafts, and tourism as they are the mainstay of Kashmir’s economy.
The chief minister emphasized the need to blend modern agricultural technology with conventional methods and called for a comprehensive policy to make agriculture an economic hub, especially for the educated youth.
“The vast potential of economic activities in agriculture and allied sectors has to be scientifically harnessed and young person’s persuaded to take up profitable ventures in this field,” he said.