Mirwaiz Farooq hopes CBMs will help resolve Kashmir dispute

Srinagar, July 11 (ANI): Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, has expressed hope that the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) between India and Pakistan will create a conducive atmosphere for resolving the Kashmir dispute.

"It is very important that as far as Hurriyat Conference is concerned, we have always supported dialogue at India-Pakistan level. We support the fact that both countries have decided to take the process forward. But the basic question is the involvement of the people of Kashmir on both sides of the ceasefire line," he told media here.

"For us, for the Hurriyat Conference, Kashmir stands, as it existed on August 14, 1947. The whole area of Jammu and Kashmir, 84,000 square miles, constitute the disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir. So it is imperative on the governments of India and Pakistan that when they talk in terms of moving forward at a bilateral level, they can move forward at a bilateral level, maybe up to the issue of CBMs but not up to the issue of solutions," he added.

Farooq further said that the Hurriyat leaders could not ignore the people's day-to-day problems and would try to address those as well.

"The Hurriyat Conference will not keep itself away from the day-to-day problems of the people of Kashmir. A big issue here is the issue of resources. The natural resources of Jammu and Kashmir such as the power sector or our economy, we the Hurriyat Conference will not bear any discrimination of any sorts against Kashmiris, where Kashmir's resources would be exploited," he said.

"Today exploitation of our natural resources is being felt at the level of certain NGOs and other such projects. There is no say for the Kashmiris or the civil society in this," he added.

He also mentioned about formation of a council to advise on economic affairs as well as to look into the issues of the common people of the state.

"The Hurriyat Conference will form an Economic Advisory Council. The Council will consist of Hurriyat members and we shall also rope in people from the civil society, from the sector of trade, people from various walks of life. Every issue will be discussed and deliberated where Kashmiris are facing injustice," said Farooq. (ANI)