Pak. has to do a lot of homework

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, MAY 26. The military government would have to do a lot of homework, particularly in addressing concerns within Pakistan over the Indian invitation, before the military ruler and Chief Executive, Gen. Pervez Musharraf, travels down to New Delhi for peace talks.

This is evident from the continued hostile reaction from the militant and religious outfits in Pakistan to the latest Indian initiative. They see it as yet another `trap' by India and do not see `sincerity' in the hand of friendship extended from across the border.

The Jamaat-e-Islami, that was in the forefront of opposition to the Lahore bus ride of Mr. Vajpayee in February 1999, has joined hands with the Pakistani chapter of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) in urging Gen. Musharraf not to hold dialogue with India under the framework of Shimla Agreement and Lahore Declaration.

The decision was taken here at a meeting of the central leaders of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference (APHC) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) here to discuss the situation arising out of Mr. Vajpayee's invitation to Gen. Musharraf.

A joint statement issued at the conclusion of the meeting has said that the `unprecedented sacrifices of the Kashmiri Mujahideen' will force India to accept the right of self- determination to the Kashmiris. It was the responsibility of the Pakistani Government to respect the sacrifices of Kashmiris and not be `trapped' by India. The Hurriyat leaders and the Jamaat chief said though they were not opposed to dialogue it would be meaningful only when the UN resolutions could be the basis of the dialogue.

The statement said that holding negotiations under Shimla Agreement and Lahore declaration would mean deviation from `principled stand' of Pakistan. The Kashmiri leaders and Jamaat have said that the Hurriyat had refused to hold talks with India without the participation of Pakistan. Pakistan should also

insist on inclusion of the Hurriyat Conference in the dialogue process.

The Kashmiri leaders and Jamaat vowed to continue their jihad (holy war) unless a final settlement was reached on the Kashmir dispute. They said that `any drama of dialogue' could not cool down the spirit of jihad.

Parties extend support

In a related development the mainstream political leaders while welcoming peace talks continued to insist that the nation be taken into `confidence' on the nature of the dialogue before Gen. Musharraf leaves for New Delhi.

The Pakistan People's Party Deputy Secretary General, Mr. Raza Rabbani said Gen. Musharraf should take the nation into confidence on the subject before going to India. ``We have always supported dialogue with all our neighbours, particularly with India and Mr. Vajpayee's invitation is a step in the right direction. We don't play politics on Kashmir and are ready to give him (Gen. Musharraf) support'.

The acting chief of the Pakistan Muslim League (PML), Mr. Javed Hashmi, virtually echoed the same sentiments. ``Gen. Musharraf must proceed to New Delhi with the backing of all political parties and the entire nation''.

PTI reports:

Cricketer-turned-politician, Mr. Imran Khan, today termed India's invitation to Gen Musharraf a `very big breakthrough' and said there was a general consensus in Pakistan that dialogue was the only way to resolve the Kashmir issue.

``Most definitely, I think the general consensus in Pakistan is that talks and dialogue is the only way to resolve the (Kashmir) issue. Talks are a beginning. There is no other way except through talks,'' Mr. Khan, who heads the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Party, told reporters here.

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Section  : International
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