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Journalism of Courage
The new civilian Government in Pakistan has to take the army on board before implementing its ideas on the Kashmir issue, Hurriyat Conference Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said.
“It is very difficult for any Prime Minister in Pakistan to come up with a set of ideas and try to implement it on its own unless and until there is a backing of other institutions in Pakistan,” he told Karan Thapar in Devil’s Advocate programme to be telecast on CNN-IBN.
Asked whether he was referring to the Pakistan army in particular, Mirwaiz replied “In particular … We know it for sure.”
His response came after constant questioning over the spate of statements by Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and PPP leader Asif Ali Zardari indicative of a change in Kashmir policy by the new regime in Islamabad.
“I don’t think there is a change in Pakistan’s policy but definitely in approach, and which I feel is a welcome sign,” said Farooq.
“Because if we have to address the issue of Kashmir, we have always said that out-of-the-box solution and out-of-the- box approach are needed.”
Farooq was replying after he was asked about the comments of Zardari that India and Pakistan should not be hostage to the UN resolution but could agree to disagree and, additionally, they should leave the Kashmir dispute to a later wiser generation and instead get on with improving their relationship.
