MUZAFFARABAD, July 3: Former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Barrister Sultan Mahmood has proposed fresh elections on both sides of the Line of Control in Kashmir under the auspices of United Nations or European Union to bring forward true representatives of the Kashmiris.

“India had been holding sham and fraud elections in occupied Kashmir and unfortunately the same happened in AJK in July 2006. Therefore I have suggested that elections in both parts of the Himalayan region should be held under the supervision of the UN or EU,” Barrister Sultan Mahmood said at a press conference here on Thursday.

The Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch which had questioned the credibility of last polls in AJK should also be invited to monitor the proposed elections, he added.

Mr Mahmood, who heads the Jammu Kashmir Peoples Muslim League (JK PML), pointed out that the proposed polls could also settle the contentious issue as to who was eligible to represent the Kashmiris at the negotiating table.

“People elected through such elections can also discuss among themselves and find out an amicable solution to the lingering problem,” he said.

Mr Mahmood claimed that the All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders also shared the same opinion.

He further claimed that he had recently discussed this idea with an EU delegation which had appreciated and shown willingness to press it forward.

Mr Mahmood also took exception to the confidence building measures (CBMs) and ‘back channel diplomacy’ saying “we have enough of them and now people want to know what has been achieved out of them”.

“If the CBMs are merely exchange of films, actors, singers and parliamentarians they are simply worthless for the Kashmiris who need relief in the shape of withdrawal of troops from urban areas, repeal of draconian laws, release of political prisoners and permission of foreign travelling to all leaders, including Syed Ali Geelani,” he said.

He called for holding debate on Kashmir issue in the parliament so that people could know the approach of the government, parliamentarians and national leaders towards the dispute. Mr Mahmood alleged that the previous Pakistani government had agreed upon conversion of LoC into permanent border but could not make a formal announcement to that effect due to internal crisis. Division of Kashmir, he declared, was unacceptable to the Kashmiris living on any side of the LoC.

Accusing India of pursuing a duplicitous policy, he said it was holding talks with Pakistan under international pressure but was not serious in making them result-oriented.

“Since Feb 2004, five rounds of composite dialogue have been held but without any tangible progress,” he said, adding that the APHC leaders had also expressed similar concerns.

Responding to a question, he maintained that had there not been an armed struggle, Kashmir issue would not have come to the limelight.