Srinagar: The Democratic Freedom Party (DFP), led by the incarcerated senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmad Shah, has issued a statement congratulating Pakistan on its successful hosting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) conference. The party highlighted the event as a potential catalyst for regional peace and encouraged India to engage with Pakistan to resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute.

According to Kashmir Media Service, DFP spokesperson Advocate Arshad Iqbal, in a press release from Srinagar, lauded the SCO summit’s role in enhancing regional cooperation and development. The summit, which saw participation from the Prime Ministers of China, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, was termed a significant diplomatic achievement for Pakistan.

Iqbal expressed hope that Jaishankar’s participation in the summit could serve as a stepping stone towards easing the strained relations between Pakistan and India. He emphasized the importance of revitalizing the dialogue process between the two nations, which he believes is essential for fostering an environment of peace and stability in the region.

The spokesperson stressed that achieving the SCO’s goals of regional peace and prosperity hinges on resolving the Kashmir issue in a manner that respects the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. He called on the Indian government to end its longstanding resistance to dialogue and to engage with Pakistan to address all pending issues, with the Kashmir conflict at the forefront.

Iqbal noted that while the Kashmiri people support meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan, any discussion that omits the Kashmir issue would be inconsequential.