Revive India-Pak peace talks: IAS topper Shah Faesal

Former IAS officer from Jammu and Kashmir Shah Faesal who recently announced of contesting elections on Wednesday stated that peace will prevail in Kashmir only if India and Pakistan revive peace talks and also said that separatists and Kashmiri Pandits representatives should be made part of the talks.

After his announcement of joining politics, it was Faesal's first visit in the state where he inaugurated 12th Kashmir festival organised by Sarhad NGO in association with Arham foundation in Pune. Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines of the event, he said, "Whenever India and Pakistan have initiated talks, the life in Kashmir has become easier. Not just the areas of Kashmir, but even the LoC in Jammu has witnessed peace. If the peace has to prevail in Kashmir, it will have to be through talks and not through military solution."

When asked about Pakistan foreign minister reaching out to Kashmiri separatists leaders, he said, "I feel all the stakeholders including the separatists, religious leaders, political leaders, Kashmir pandits representatives and also leaders from regions like Jammu and Ladakh should be included in political dialogue."

Once the topper in UPSC examination, Faesal joined the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and served in the Jammu and Kashmir state for nearly a decade. Recently he resigned from the service and decided to join politics.

ON HIZBUL THREAT

“This was very much expected. There is lot of distrust among Kashmiri youth. All stakeholders also think that I have come to politics to take youths on wrong path and therefore this reaction.”