National Conference president Farooq Abdullah Friday asked the BJP-led government at the Centre to tell to the nation who released Azhar Masood in 1999.
Farooq, according to a NC statement, made the remarks whiletalking to reporters on the sidelines of function organised here to mark theinternational women’s day.
Farooq said he had advised against the decision (to releaseAzhar) but the government led by Atal Behari Vajpayee went ahead and releasedhim along with his associates to seek release of hijacked Indian Airlinespassengers in Kandahar.
Farooq again reiterated dialogue between India and Pakistan,saying “this is the only option to sort out the issues.”
He said the urges and aspirations of the larger peaceconstituency in the sub-continent will have to be satiated by bringing thaw inthe relations of the two neighbouring countries.
Farooq also promised that if his party is voted to power inJammu and Kashmir, he would give 33 percent reservation to women in the stateassembly.
“The condition of women is not very good. We talk too muchabout their empowerment but are doing nothing to empower them in reality. TodayI promise you that if NC comes to power, we will provide 33 percent reservationto women in the state assembly,” he said, addressing a programme organised bywomen’s club here to mark the international women’s day.
Women are pillars of the society, Farooq said, and lashedout at the central government for “opting delay tactics” on the womenreservation bill.
“We had frequent discussions in the parliament on womenrights, but their (government’s) intentions are not clear on passing the bill,”he said.
He said the mindset of the entire world has changed “but notin our country.”
“They have passed all bills, expect the women reservationbill because they think if women get reservation, what would men do,” he said.”Hope the new parliament will come with a positive mind and pass the bill.”
Later, talking to reporters, Farooq disapproved of ban onJamaat-e-Islami, saying “it is not a solution to any problem.”
“The time has come to address issues politically and unlessyou don’t address the issues politically, you are never going to sort outissues.”
Asked about allegations that Jamaat had links with HizbulMujahideen, Farooq said: “I have no knowledge of Hizb links with Jamaat. I havebeen the chief minister but I have not gone through any such intelligenceinputs that suggest Hizb is a militant outfit of Jamaat. If I am not wrong,this militant group is run by Syed Salahuddin from other side of Kashmir.”
“I don’t know much about Jamaat today as I am not in powerand don’t have access to (intelligence) agencies. Governor is in a betterposition to answer this,” he said.