Pak. 'surprised' at India's charge

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, JAN. 4 The Kashmir peace moves could be in jeopardy if the signals emanating from various quarters in Pakistan are any indication.

For the first time in four weeks, there are reports of heavy firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Jammu region - a clear violation of the earlier stand taken by both Pakistan and India.

India has accused Pakistan of unprovoked firing - a charge it has denied. A spokesman of the military has expressed surprise at India's charge.

It is difficult to verify the veracity of the incident but levelling of the charge has coincided with a discernable unease in the Pakistani Government over India's moves.

The spokesman read the proposal by the Jammu and Kashmir Government to hold panchayat elections as an indication of lack of sincerity in holding a dialogue for resolution of the Kashmir conflict.

The Pakistani official news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan, has quoted the spokesman as saying ``the decision to hold the elections is particularly regrettable at this time when efforts are under way to launch a peace process''.

If India was genuinely interested in a peaceful solution of the Kashmir issue, it should enter into a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan, with the participation of the All-Party Hurriyat Conference. The APHC decision to boycott the panchayat elections was consistent with the long-standing opposition of the Kashmiris to any elections in Kashmir, he said.

At the same time, the United Jehadi Council (UJC) - an umbrella organisation of Pakistan-based militant organisations - has been meeting in Muzaffarabad for the last three days to take stock of the situation in the light of the recent Indian moves.

The council is expected to adopt a resolution tomorrow to the effect that the APHC team should visit Islamabad only if there is a consensus among all groups in Kashmir.

The council is concerned about the viewpoint of some of the APHC leaders on the role of the militant organisations.

The Harkat-ul-Ansari has already questioned the locus standi of the APHC to negotiate on behalf of the Kashmiris and said the militant organisations should be part of the talks between India and Pakistan.

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Section  : International
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