Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and ruling National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah today called upon Pakistan to rein-in jihadi elements in their country before initiation of a meaningful dialogue between India and Pakistan.
Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of a function at Jammu University this morning, Dr Abdullah said: “only dialogue is solution to problems faced by India and Pakistan. The talks are essential. However, the talks would be meaningful only when Pakistan ensured that its land was not being used to create tragedies in India.
“Till Pakistan assured India that its territory was not being used for creating trouble in India…till it rein-in the jehadi elements…till it controlled those fomenting trouble in our India, the talks can’t be successful. For success of the dialogue, Pakistan had to take certain initiatives”.
Farooq added that by continuing to inflict casualties and tragedies for Indian people, Pakistan cannot ask for dialogue as that will not serve the purpose.
“On the one side, Pakistan has been inflicting casualties and tragedies on us. On the other, it was asking for dialogue. This can’t go together. They have to stop violence for restoration of talks,” he said.
Farooq, however, made it clear that talks were only solution to all pending issues between India and Pakistan.
Worthwhile to mention here that Pakistan has been trying hard to ensure a meeting between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York on the sidelines of United Nations General Assembly this month.
India appeared reluctant to the talks between two heads of the State in view of escalated tensions on the Line of Control (LoC) and killing of five Indian Army soldiers by the Pakistani troops in August this year.
The National Conference president voiced concern over continued and unprovoked firing by Pakistan Army in civilian areas in Poonch, Rajouri and other places.
“Pakistan should immediately halt the firing,” he said.
Favouring Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi as UPA choice for the post of Prime Ministership, Dr Abdullah said Rahul should take responsibility as early as possible and take the country ahead.
Replying to a question on Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh’s statement that he was ready to work under Rahul Gandhi, the Union Minister said: “it is a commendable thing that the Prime Minister has said that he will work under Rahul Gandhi and now its time for the latter to take the responsibility”.
He added that Rahul Gandhi was perfect choice to lead the UPA and the country.
Dr Singh had a day before stated that he was ready to work under Rahul Gandhi if the latter takes responsibility of leading the Congress in the next elections, which were due to be held in April-May next year.
Replying to another question on communal violence in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh in which 31 persons have been killed so far, Dr Abdullah said: “one need to be cautious that this is election year and some people for vested interests will instigate trouble”. However, he advised the people not to fall prey to machinations of vested interests and maintain communal harmony.
“I appeal that communal harmony should be maintained in the country at any cost. This is the election year and some forces would try to incite violence for political gains. We have to be cautious. The Uttar Pradesh Government has to be alert. There is no place for communal violence in the country,” Farooq Abdullah said.
Replying to another question on Indian stand on trouble torn Syria, Farooq endorsed the Indian Government stand that military strikes were not an option.
“Instead of military intervention by the United States, we should allow the United Nations play its role of initiating peaceful efforts to resolve the issue,” the Union Minister said.
It may be reported here that the Prime Minister had opposed military strikes against Syria as proposed by the United States.
Dr Abdullah made a mention of Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission, saying this has been started in 2010 with an ambitious target of generating 20,000 MW of grid connected solar power by 2022. The project is aimed at reducing the cost of solar power generation in the country with generation of 1300 MWs by the end of this year, he said.
Referring to the opposition to Zubin Mehta’s concert, Farooq said: “Zubin did a great job. We are grateful to Zubin and the German Ambassador for the show in Shalimar Garden”.
“It is a great opportunity for all of us to show to the world how Kashmir is like and how Kashmir enjoys the music. This will only encourage tourism,” he said.
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