Srinagar, Feb 19: A left wing politician from Pakistan drew flak for his “confused remarks” over the Kashmir issue at a press conference here.
 Abid Hussain Mantoo, chairman of All Parties Democratic Movement, a lesser known party in Pakistan, made remarks on Kashmir issue that forced a pro-freedom leader to walk out of the conference.
 Hilal Ahmad War, chairman Peoples Political Party boycotted the meeting after Mantoo “suggested” that Kashmiris should look for some other option to achieve their “rights.”
 “Mantoo Sahab your remarks suggest that you have came up with someone’s agenda. Please clear yourself. On one hand you suggested that never give up your struggle for independence and on the other you want Kashmiri people to question themselves about what they have achieved in their struggle for independence in the past 60 years,” said War.
 One of the journalists in the gathering argued over the remarks of the Mantoo that Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan “can’t get results by violating law and order and ignoring history.”
 “When people of an occupied nation are deprived of all their rights whether legal or social and many a draconian laws are imposed on them to quell their moment, what is the option left for them to fight for their independence,” a journalist asked Mantoo.
 “I don’t know. You have to see it yourself,” Mantoo replied.
 He said, “We have kept your flag waving for past 60 years but people of Kashmir need to see what they have achieved and if they have not achieved independence, they must consider another option.”
 He said the struggle between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue has cost Pakistanis dearly. “Both the countries suffered but Pakistan faced martial laws, army rule, and our democratic process broke up. Whatever troubles Pakistan is facing right from 1947 till date it is because of the direct or indirect struggle between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue,” Mantoo said.
 According to Mantoo India was more powerful than Pakistan. “We have security issues with them (India) and it has become necessity that Pakistan should have more strong armed forces,” Mantoo said.
 Mantoo asked the journalists if they meant both Kashmirs when they were talking about resolution of Kashmir issue. And when the journalists replied yes, Mantoo said, “In two Kashmirs there are different social and political problems; we have to address them.” A reporter asked him that Pakistan president Parvez Musharraf had shown willingness to withdraw troops from ‘Azad Kashmir’ if India reciprocated and even suggested four-point formula for the resolution of the issue. Mantoo replied: “You have to see how you can address those problems.”
 He said return of former Prime Ministers of Pakistan, late Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Shariff was facilitated in accordance with the will of the establishment. “Even the charges of receiving kick backs and involvement in corruption were dropped against one minister under what they called Reconciliation Agreement (RA). The RA means to Pakistan establishment that if there are corruption charges against someone you can drop the charges,” Mantoo said.
 He said there are still some feudal lords in Pakistan including some Bhuttos and Choudharys who not only have control on land and posses wealth but also control the politics and government. “Army has become powerful in Pakistan because of martial laws and now control development on political, social and economical front,” Mantoo said.

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