ISLAMABAD: On Oct 28, Pakistan said it would not Start talks with India until Delhi reduced its forces in Kashmir. Foreign Minister Faroog Leghari also called on India to end its siege of militants hold up inside the Hazratbal. He denied Indian charges that Pakistan was behind an alleged plot to steal a holy relic from the shrine.
“Before talks can begin it is imperative that India must defuse the situation in Kashmir,” Leghari said, “India must off the siege.”
“It is imperative that they reduce their forces (in Kashmir),.or the talks will not be meaningful and purposeful,” he told the siting of the Senate and newly elected Na tonal Assembly. Leghari said: “Pakistan is committed to a negotiated settlement of the Kashmir issue.” Top diplomats of Pakistan and India agreed at the recent Commonwealth summit in Cyprus that talks broken off in August last year should resume early next year.
Fundamentalist Islamic parties called for an armed intervention in Kashmir. “We should be allowed to end our people to help the Mujahileen,” said Qazi Hussain Ahmed, leader of the JamaatiIslami Party.
He called on the government to bandon talks with India and Jaunch Jihad in Kashmir.
Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharef urged that efforts should be made to step up international pressure on India and to impose economic sanctions against it.
He said a fact finding mission of the United Nations should be sent to Kashmir to take stock of the situation.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 5, 1993
