Kargil Conflict and Weak Pak Foreign Policy derailed K- Issue: Nawaz Shareef

Lahore/ Islamabad: Stating that’ Kargil Conflict’ caused a huge damage to the Kashmir Cause, Former Prime Minister Of Pakistan and Chairman PML (N), Mian Nawaz Shareef on Friday said, the dialogue was the only way forward for the settlement of the long pending Kashmir ‘dispute’. During his meeting with the visiting Hurriyat delegation led by Mirwaiz in Lahore, Mian said, “Kashmir cause got a dent by Kargil conflict.” Interestingly Mian Nawaz was the Prime Minster of Pakistan when the Kargil Conflict broke out in 1999. During his more than three hour long meeting, Shareef lashed out at the incumbent Fedral Govt, saying the Pakistan foreign Policy has lost its track on Kashmir, which according to him used the ‘top priority’ for Pak Foreign Office. The Former Pak Premier however was optimistic that there would be a shift in foreign Policy if he was to assume office after the forth coming elections. “If my Govt. comes in Pakistan in the forthcoming elections, Kashmir would be my top priority.” Assured Mian Nawaz who has been at healm of affirs twice before he was removed from Office by Former President General Parvaiz Musharaf in a military coup in early 2000.”

Meanwhile PML (N) appreciated Hurriayt Visit and said that such initiatives should have been taken much earlier. “This visit should have taken place much earlier, but still this is a welcome step.” Said Nawaz who invited the visiting delegation again to Pakistan after the elections are over in March next year. Mian Shareef also stressed that the process should not stop and the Kashmiris should be included in the dialogue process.
Meanwhile the delegation later met with Pakistan Jamat e Islami Chief Syed Munawar Hussain, his deputy Liyaqat Ali Balooch and other top leadership and appraised them about the prevailing situation in Kashmir. Sources in the hurriyat told that during their more than 90 minute long meeting, Hussain while pressing for the unification of the separatist leadership said that it was for the benefit of Kashmiris that a joint forum of Separatist camp visited Pakistan.” We appreciate your dedication and commitment to the cause, but it would have been great to see other separatist leaders as part of the delegation.” Ameer e Jamat is understood to have told the delegation. Jammat leaders assured the kashmiri leadership of its every possible help and said that their stand on the issue was unchanged.” Our Policy is clear that Kashmiris should get the right of self determination.” Jamat leaders are believed to have told the delegation. They also said that the K-Issue was in the manifesto of their party and urged Govt. to link the grant of MFN status to India with the resolution of Kashmir issue.
Earlier before flying to Lahore, the delegation visited the National Defense University at Islamabad in the morning after which they offered Friday prayers at the historical ‘Faisal Masjid’ in the afternoon.
At NDU, Mirwaiz while reiterating his demand for tripartite dialogue said that Kashmir was not a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan and the inclusion of Kashmiris as the basic party of the dispute was inevitable. “Addressing the Pakistan Army officers and graduates, Mirwaiz said, “Kashmiris have been the worst suffers of the conflict and we demand that India and Pakistan should initiate serious dialogue along with the genuine leadership of Kashmir for the settlement of the dispute.”
He argued that there was a shift in the mode of resistance in Kashmir from 2008, where lakhs of people were coming on the streets with no gun or bombs in their hands, but still they were being fired upon. The address was followed by closed door question answer session that lasted for almost 50 minutes.