Journalism of Courage
Kashmiri separatist groups on Sunday met Sartaj Aziz,Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharifs adviser on foreign affairs and national security,here. Hurriyat moderate faction led by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said the talks were aimed at finding a lasting political solution to the Kashmir issue,a key element for normalising ties between the two countries.
Besides Mirwaiz,JKLF chief Yaseen Malik and hardline Hurriyat chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Dukhtaran-e-Millat held separate meetings with Aziz.
Geelani,who had arrived near Pakistan High Commission much before time,decided not to enter the premises till the team led by Mirwaiz was there. The moment they came out,Geelani went in.
We want to see that the relations between the two countries are good and this would be possible only after the Kashmir issue is settled in accordance with the wishes of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, Mirwaiz said.
To a question that the BJP had opposed their meeting with Aziz terming it as anti-national,the Hurriyat Chairman replied,I wonder how is this anti-national. The meeting is aimed at finding a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue which is in the interest of India,Pakistan as well as people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He also said that Hurriyat had met Pakistani leaders during the NDA regime as well.
About the recent escalation of tension along the LoC,the Mirwaiz said,military solution is no solution. We have been advocating peaceful means. Killings of soldiers on either side does not help.
In a related development,Andrabi,whose kin have been arrested in Pakistan for allegedly being involved in terror activities,also met Aziz.
