Carry forward J&K peace process, says former Pak. Minister

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

LAHORE, MARCH 28. Dr. Mubashir Hasan, former Finance Minister of Pakistan and veteran peace activist, is of the view that the Kashmir peace process should be carried forward and developments in India on account of the Tehelka expose should not be allowed to come in the way of the process.

In an informal chat with The Hindu , Dr. Hasan characterised the latest political developments in India as part of the sub- continental political culture that is essentially the culture of the ruled and not of the ruler.

Dr. Hasan, who is associated with the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) and several other Indo-Pak. peace initiatives, was of the view that the peace process initiated by both India and Pakistan should not be wasted.

He said the most important thing was for India and Pakistan to talk to Kashmiris on both sides and allow Kashmiris to talk among themselves. ``All sides will achieve maximum satisfactory results only if they keep in mind the post- settlement situation''.

Dr. Hasan said that whatever may be agreed between the people of Kashmir and the Governments of India and Pakistan, the ``new dispensation'' should involve all three parties besides addressing the social, economic, political and security questions of Kashmir.

He said any settlement of the Kashmir dispute would involve disarmament of all militants of whatever character and persuasion. Dr. Hasan said an end to violence, irrespective of who is behind it, was essential for arriving at a settlement to the Kashmir conflict.

He agreed with the view that the visit of the Prime Minister, Mr. A.B. Vajpayee, to Lahore in February 1999 did not have the approval of the majority in Pakistan. He said the visit and the enthusiastic response of the Nawaz Sharif Government to the initiative were national responses irrespective of which party was in power.

``In case of Pakistan it has already been proved. Gen. Musharraf's policy in principle of moving towards a settlement with India is the same. Similarly Mr. Vajpayee had not come to Pakistan as a representative of the BJP or the coalition he headed'', Dr. Hasan said. He said the decision of the Vajpayee Government to extend the cease-fire by another three months was done after consultations with all parties. ``There is no major dissent either in India or Pakistan on the recent initiatives''.

Dr. Hasan said the overwhelming desire in Pakistan for peace was evident when fathers of six militants killed in Kashmir met the peace delegation led by Adm. (retd.) Ramdas and Ms. Nirmala Deshpande and endorsed their mission. ``Mind you one of the fathers frankly confessed to the delegation that while one of his has died in Kashmir, the other is fighting. I was present at the meeting and both sides were utterly sincere in their desire for cessation of hostilities and resumption of dialogue''.

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