National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday said India and Pakistan must sit down to resolve the issues over which both the countries have been at loggerheads. He pitched for ‘peace’ as he said both the countries need to find way to solve internal problems in order to end the terror menace in the region. Speaking to media after an all-Opposition parties meeting in Srinagar, Abdullah said, “We are all concerned about peace. India and Pakistan must sit down as neighbours to resolve the issues.” Choosing not to divulge into surgical strikes carried out by Army across LoC in PoK, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said,”I have nothing to say. I am not here to discuss what government did. I am interested in going forward.”
Abdullah also brought in former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s remarks about Pakistan. “Remember what Vajpayee ji said ‘ we can’t choose our neighbours’, so we have to talk to Pakistan, there is no other option,” he said.
Talking about ongoing unrest in the Valley, Abdullah said, “Special Assembly session must be called to resolve the situation peacefully.” He also said Kashmir’s educational system must be revived.
Meanwhile, Abdullah was also seen engaged in a small verbal tussle with a female reporter. During the media interaction, when the journalist asked him whether jawans death mean nothing to him? In a curt reply, Abdullah said, “Don’t put words in my mouth.”
The meeting is taking place even as the curfew continued today in interior parts of Srinagar and some other areas as a precautionary measure in view of violence witnessed after Friday prayers last week. Normal life remained affected in Kashmir Valley for the 98th day due to the ongoing unrest which erupted after killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani in July.
The unrest, which has claimed 84 lives and left thousands of others injured in clashes between protestors and security forces, is in its fourth month as shops, business establishments, petrol pumps and educational institutions remained closed.