Srinagar, May 25: Welcoming Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s talks offer on Kashmir, ruling National Conference on Tuesday said that friendly relation between India and Pakistan was the sole guarantee for peace in South Asia. The party has also urged the separatist leadership to choose dialogue for the resolution of Kashmir dispute.
 Party General Secretary, Sheikh Nazir Ahmad, said that peace was the only way forward for resolving the Kashmir issue.
 “Violence is no solution. They (separatists) have to choose peace as a way forward. They shall take part in a dialogue process,” he said.
 He, however, said that Kashmiri people should be involved in the dialogue process aimed at the issue’s resolution since Kashmir people were the main stake holders and primary party to the issue.
 Other party leaders including Muhammad Shafi Uri, Sharief-ud-Din Shariq, Dr Mehboob Beg and Ghulam Nabi Ratanpori have also welcomed the PM’s statement saying the separatist leadership should accept the PM’s invitation for dialogue process.
 “They have to understand the gravity of the situation and reciprocate to the invitation,” they said.
 Chairman of J&K National Panthers Party, Prof Bhim Singh, has welcomed the talks offer by the Prime Minister.
 While proceeding to Palestine to attend an international conference on the return of Palestinian refugees, Bhim Singh appreciated the spirit conveyed by the Hurriryat leaders in support of the talks to restore peace with democracy and dignity in J&K.
 The Panthers Party offered total cooperation to the Prime Minister in his efforts to involve all sections of leadership in J&K in talks so that the state is brought back to normalcy where all sections of people live in peace and harmony.
 Welcoming the offer, MLA Langate Er. S A Rashid stressed upon the Government of India & militants that they should initiate a concrete and meaningful dialogue for the larger interest of people of the sub-continent in general and for Kashmiris in particular.
‘Nothing but a lollipop’
Srinagar, May 25: Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen has termed the PM’s statement on Kashmir as ‘nothing but a lollipop’ to lure Kashmiris.
 In a statement, the outfit spokesman Jameel Ahmad cautioned people against getting carried away by such statements.
 Commenting on the statement, JKLF (R) Chairman Bitta Karate and senior Vice-chairman Javaid Ahmad Mir said the Congress government was issuing such statements to tide over internal crises and keep its flock together in Jammu & Kashmir.
 The Jammu & Kashmir Mass Movement chief Farida Behanji has rejected the offer, terming it a ruse to dilute international pressure.
 The Peoples Freedom League Chairman, Muhammad Farooq Rehmani termed the offer as an eyewash.
 “The offer is only ruse to throw dust in the eyes of world community,” said Rehmani.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 25 May 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 25 May 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 26 May 2010 00:00:00 IST