India, Pak agree to demilitarisation: Mirwaiz Umer Farooq

SRINAGAR: India and Pakistan agreed to demilitarisation in Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, according to the chairman of the moderate faction of Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Umer Farooq.

 

Mirwaiz Umer Farooq claimed India and Pakistan agreed on a reduction of troops.

 

"We are happy that India and Pakistan have agreed on withdrawal of troops from Jammu and Kashmir and Azad Kashmir which would be the first step towards resolution of the Kashmir issue," the Mirwaiz said in his Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid here after the noon prayers.
     
Farooq said during its recent meeting with Pakistan Foreign Minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri in Delhi, the Hurriyat delegation was told that the two countries were working out modalities of troops withdrawal from either side of the Line of Control.

 

Farooq said New Delhi and Islamabad have also agreed that there was no military solution to Kashmir issue and progress towards a lasting settlement would have to be made in a phased manner.

 

The withdrawal of troops and revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act make a perfect beginning to the phase-wise resolution of the Kashmir issue, he said.

 

"We want to assure both India and Pakistan that Hurriyat will extend its full support and cooperation in pushing forward the peace process."

 

Without naming the People’s Democratic Party, Farooq said some political groups are giving an impression that they are the moving forces behind the changes taking place in the state.