Hurriyat for Indo-Pak prime ministerial talks

Welcoming resumption of foreign secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, chairman of moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq on Friday said the two sides should hold dialogue at the prime ministerial level to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"This is a stark reality that Kashmir issue is the biggest hurdle in the normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan.... There is a need to elevate the dialogue process from the current foreign ministerial level to prime ministerial level to resolve the issue," the Mirwaiz said addressing a Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid in downtown Srinagar.

"If the leaderships of the two countries want betterment of their people, they should give up traditional rigidity and shortsightedness and initiate necessary and positive steps to resolve Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said, adding the solution to Kashmir issue is imperative for peace, development and prosperity in the entire sub-continent.

The Hurriyat chief said that Kashmir issue is a sensitive and crucial issue "but if the concerned parties demonstrate seriousness, steadfastness and sincerity, the issue could be resolved within a set time frame".

Stressing the need for involvement of Kashmiris in the dialogue process, he said after initiating the prime ministerial level dialogue, Kashmiris should be involved at a later stage to seek a peaceful and everlasting solution to the issue acceptable to the concerned parties.

The Hurriyat chairman also demanded free movement of people between two sides of Kashmir, saying, "It is very unfortunate and tragic that a line has separated a mother from her kids, brother from brother and families."

"The curbs should be immediately removed to allow free trade and movement of people on either side of the Line of Control," he said.