LAHORE: All-Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Azad Jammu and Kashmir convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi has called for including the Kashmiris in the dialogue process between Pakistan and India on the future of the region.

Speaking at a press conference here on Sunday, he said the Kashmiris should also be included in the talks between Pakistan and India on the future of Kashmir.

“We have no objection to talks between Pakistan and India. But when the future of Kashmir would be decided in the talks, then inclusion of the Kashmiris at that stage in the talks is a must. Otherwise, we will not accept any decision.”

Mr Safi said India propagated that Pakistan had abandoned Occupied Kashmir, while the reality was that Pakistan was raising the issue along with the Kashmiris at all levels.

He, however, regretted that Islamabad missed the chance to break out of the Simla Agreement (which makes Kashmir only a bilateral issue) on Aug 5, 2019 when New Delhi had violated the international agreement by changing the status of the India-held Kashmir.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2024