SRINAGAR: Advocating for restoring 1953 position in Jammu and Kashmir, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Prof Saifuddin Soz today said Pakistan should also give a similar kind of autonomy to Gilgit and Baltistan.
However, he, at the same time advocated for waging a vigorous fight democratically to resolve the Kashmir issue. All stakeholders, including Hurriyat Conference, should be brought on one table for a meaningful dialogue, Prof Soz told a news conference here this afternoon.
He said the Centre and State Government should review Delhi agreement within the framework of what was known at one point as Manmohan-Musharaf 4-point formula for resolution of Kashmir dispute.
“At this critical juncture of our history, while we are not required to compromise on our principles, we must take notice of the circumstances and adopt a way for exchange of ideas freely. We must, therefore, adopt democracy as our tool for achieving the necessary goal,” he said.
Asserting that it doesn’t suit the present day needs to appear to be supporting extremism as an instrument for seeking solution of political problems, Prof Soz said, “We must realise that democratic attitude in our expression of thoughts will make us powerful and therefore successful. The circumstances suggest that despite provocations, we must be pragmatic in finding our way forward,” he said.
Asking the Government to initiate dialogue with all stakeholders, he said, “Let us not create barriers in the leadership, mainstream or otherwise. Let the ideas be allowed to flow freely. Hurriyat leadership deserve respect and must express ideas.” (AGENCIES)
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