New Delhi, Dec 3: Union Minister for Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah has said that accepting the prevailing ground realities in the context of Jammu and Kashmir can be an important step towards resolving the vexed Kashmir issue.
“The fact that Kashmir became part of India by its own will as they accepted Gandhiji’s India where people of all faiths co-exist and have equal rights to vote can be central to this reconciliation process,” Farooq said.
Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership summit here on Saturday, the National Conference president said it was in the interest of the people of this sub-continent that Pakistan also accepts this reality that part of Kashmir on the Indian side cannot be taken back and likewise Indians have to accept the reality that the Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) areas cannot be annexed.
Laying stress on India-Pakistan relations, Farooq said that the Kashmir issue should not be put as a pre-condition for the normalisation of Indo-Pak relations.
Speaking on AFSPA, Farooq asserted his stand that AFSPA should be removed and claimed the Centre backs his stand. “Centre backs our stand on AFSPA removal from certain areas of Kashmir and AFSPA will go from these areas,” he said.
Making a strong appeal to break the India-Pakistan divide, Farooq said, “Make India-Pakistan one country by removing the border between India, Pakistan and the border between India and Bangladesh.”

STRONG POLITICAL WILL NEEDED: KHAN
Speaking on the same issue, President of Awami National Party in Pakistan, Asfandyar Wali Khan said that change in stated positions of political parties is required to move in the direction of settling the Kashmir dispute. Khan further said that strong political will and courage is needed for this purpose. He emphasized on the need of fighting fundamentalism, extremism and forces that spread hatred in the region.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Dec 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Dec 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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