Pakistan has rejected an Indian government decision to appoint an interlocutor to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in India-held Kashmir. In a bid to reboot its Kashmir policy, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government named ex-intelligence chief Dineshwar Sharma as interlocutor for India-held Kashmir to initiate “interaction and dialogue to understand legitimate aspirations of people in J&K”. Responding to a question regarding the Government of India’s announcement designating Mr. Dineshwar Sharma, a former Indian intelligence officer, as the Central Representative to initiate “interaction and dialogue to understand legitimate aspirations of people in J & K”, the Spokesperson stated that the measure did not appear to be sincere and realistic. The Spokesperson said that, if anything, the Indian Government’s announcement illustrated recognition -once again – of the futility of the use of force and of the indispensability of dialogue. However, for any dialogue process to be meaningful and result-oriented, it has to include the three main parties – India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris. In that context, without the participation of the Hurriyat leadership, no interaction or dialogue would carry any weight or meaning. The Spokesperson further added that the designated Interlocutor had been entrusted with the task of understanding the “legitimate aspirations” of the Kashmiri people – which in reality had been known for 70 years, i.e. realization of their right to self-determination. The Spokesperson emphasized that the need of the hour was to bring an end to the Indian State-sponsored terrorism in Occupied Kashmir and to have dialogue for peacefully resolving the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people. This was imperative for ensuring durable and sustainable peace and stability in South Asia. Pakistan hoped that the international community would play its rightful role in facilitating such an outcome. Pakistan has rightly rejected an Indian government decision to appoint an interlocutor to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders in India-held Kashmir. On one side India is involved in severe human rights violations and use brute force against innocent people in occupied Kashmir and on the other hand it is designating former intelligence officer to initiate dialogue to know the aspirations of Kashmiris. Tangible and result oriented steps are needed from India to resolve this longstanding issue peacefully and such cosmetic measures are tantamount to hoodwink world opinion on this issue.
