Kashmir Conflict: A View from Srinagar
A session “Kashmir Conflict: A View from Srinagar” was organized on Feb 9 with noted Kashmiri figure and Editor-in-Chief of The Voice of Kashmir, Srinagar, Mr. Ghulam Nabi Khayal.
Mr. Khayal said Kashmiris have been looking forward to a positive outcome of the Pakistan-India composite dialogue, but feel disappointed by Indian intransigence and refusal to make ‘any minor adjustment’.
Reiterating Kashmiris’ resolve to attain their right of self-determination, Mr. Khayal said they had started the struggle on their own with full realization of the hardships and upheavals.
Kashmiris, said Mr. Khayal, rose to wage armed struggle only after exploiting all peaceful means and only when they felt that political struggle alone would not give them their due rights. “Kashmiris feel that armed struggle has helped them a lot, by highlighting the urgency to resolve the issue.” Yet, they did not abandon political struggle as is manifest by the formation of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC).
In a candid exchange of views after his speech, General Talat Masud, Senator Sadia Abbasi, APHC leaders Mr. Yusuf Nasim and Altaf Qadri, and others expressed their views and sought Mr. Khayal’s comments on a range of issues.
Former Secretary General Foreign Affairs Mr. Akram Zaki, who chaired the session, said Kashmiris waged a great struggle to decide their future. It is they whose sacrifices have drawn attention toward the issue of Kashmir, he said and added they also recognize the crucial role of political struggle and diplomatic efforts in resolving issues.
Earlier, the program began with welcome remarks by IPS Executive Director Mr. Khalid Rahman and brief observations by IPS Chairman Professor Khurshid Ahmad.
Reiterating Kashmiris’ resolve to attain their right of self-determination, Mr. Khayal said they had started the struggle on their own with full realization of the hardships and upheavals.
Kashmiris, said Mr. Khayal, rose to wage armed struggle only after exploiting all peaceful means and only when they felt that political struggle alone would not give them their due rights. “Kashmiris feel that armed struggle has helped them a lot, by highlighting the urgency to resolve the issue.” Yet, they did not abandon political struggle as is manifest by the formation of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC).
In a candid exchange of views after his speech, General Talat Masud, Senator Sadia Abbasi, APHC leaders Mr. Yusuf Nasim and Altaf Qadri, and others expressed their views and sought Mr. Khayal’s comments on a range of issues.
Former Secretary General Foreign Affairs Mr. Akram Zaki, who chaired the session, said Kashmiris waged a great struggle to decide their future. It is they whose sacrifices have drawn attention toward the issue of Kashmir, he said and added they also recognize the crucial role of political struggle and diplomatic efforts in resolving issues.
Earlier, the program began with welcome remarks by IPS Executive Director Mr. Khalid Rahman and brief observations by IPS Chairman Professor Khurshid Ahmad.
