Srinagar, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, a senior leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, has reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing a peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute, emphasizing dialogue and respect for the will of the Kashmiri people.
According to Kashmir Media Service, during a recent media interview, Mirwaiz expressed frustration over the lack of progress in resolving the conflict, despite more than seven decades of efforts. He stressed that the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be central to any dialogue and that the Hurriyat Conference continues to support peaceful and democratic methods to achieve this end. “The Hurriyat, formed in 1993, is committed to resolving this long-standing issue through peaceful dialogue,” Mirwaiz stated.
He also criticized the Indian government’s actions on August 5, 2019, which he said complicated the situation by unilaterally altering the status of Jammu and Kashmir and disenfranchising its people. These changes, as per Mirwaiz, have disrupted the dynamics of the dispute and hindered the peace process.
Reflecting on the historical context, Mirwaiz recalled that since the partition of India in 1947, which left Kashmir divided between India and Pakistan, the issue has been the cause of multiple wars and numerous bilateral agreements, yet a final settlement remains elusive. He also voiced concerns over the portrayal of ongoing parliamentary elections in the region as reflective of the people’s will, suggesting that this does not accurately represent the broader issues at stake in the Kashmir conflict.