New Delhi
20 September 2005
Lamenting the disregard for human rights in Pakistan
Occupied Kashmir (PoK), members of the delegation currently visiting India for an intra-
Kashmir dialogue say "internal democracy" in Pakistan is an essential prerequisite for
peace.
Mr Arif Shahid, chairman of All Parties National Alliance and secretary general of Jammu
Kashmir National Liberation Front and Prof M.A.R.K. Khaleeque, president of Jammu
Kashmir National Awami Party also believe the sentiments of the people of PoK should
be factored in for lasting peace.
"Involvement of people from Gilgit and Baltistan is welcome but," cautions Mr Shahid
from Rawalakot, "they should also be given the basic freedoms. They do not enjoy
human rights ... no right to vote. Sectarianism and repression is rampant. The civil
society is passive and we should guard against that."
Asserting that parties like his are carrying on a nationalist movement and a struggle for
secularism, Prof Khaleeque from Muzaffarabad says road links between Kargil and
Skardu, Poonch and Rawalakot and Sialkot and Jammu should be opened so that more
people from either side of the Line of Control could meet.
Mr Shahid goes on to observe that armies should be pulled out from both sides of the
Line of Control. "Bullets fall on Kashmiris living on either side of the LoC ... bullets do
not fall on people in Lahore," he says and adds that only Kashmiris have borne the brunt
of the decades-old dispute between India and Pakistan.
Welcoming the recent talks between Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf and
Prime Minister of India Dr Manmohan Singh in New York, both Mr Shahid and Prof
Khaleeque say they are satisfied with the pace of the peace process. "There is no
overnight solution but confidence is being strengthened and if the peace process
continues, both sides will come closer," they add.
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