Kashmir settlement vital for durable peace: Waza

Srinagar: Hurriyat leader and the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League (JKPL), Mukhtar Ahmad Waza, has said that the permanent peace in South Asia is not possible without settling the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the Kashmiris’ aspirations.

Mukhtar Ahmad Waza addressing a public gathering at Pahalgam in Islamabad (Anantnag) said that the UN could play an effective role in facilitating meaningful dialogue among Pakistan, India and the Kashmiris for final settlement of the lingering dispute.

He said that peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute was also in the interest of India, adding that people of Kashmir were principal stakeholders in the dispute and should be included in any dialogue process aimed at its settlement.

Mukhtar Ahmad Waza urged the UN to impress upon India to revoke draconian laws like Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), withdraw its troops and release all ‘illegally’ detained Hurriyat leaders and activists languishing in different jails.

Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir Insaf Party leader, Sheikh Ghulam Qadir addressing a public gathering at Kawari in Kupwara called for political resolution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiri people. He appealed to the world community to support the just and legitimate movement of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. (KMS)