SRINAGAR, Sept 12: Pakistan’s minister for Kashmir affairs has said his country was perseverant in resolving the more than half-a -century tussle over the disputed region and admitted “what Kashmiris want” is important as they are the “main stakeholders in this issue”.
Federal minister for Kashmir affairs, Mian Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo, who is on a family trip to India crossed through Wagah border in Punjab state on Wednesday morning.
“Pakistan was committed to resolve the Kashmir issue and it is possible through dialogue, and understanding of what Kashmiris want since they are the main stakeholders in this issue,” Watoo told the Hindustan Times newspaper.
Wattoo said his country was keen to settle the Kashmir issue, over which India and Pakistan have had decades of animosity, through dialogue and advise of Kashmiris.
The minister’s comments come just days after the two south-Asian nuclear foes, who have gone to war thrice in last 65 years, eased visa restrictions after their foreign ministers met in Islamabad.
Pakistan’s foreign minister, Hina Rabbani Khar had, however, reiterated that Kashmir remained the “core issue” and that the dispute needed to be resolved “to move ahead with talks”.
Separatist leaders in kashmir have been warning both the countries to include “aspirations of Kashmiri people” in any discussion towards finding a solution to the disputed region, which both the countries claim in full but rule in parts.
Watto said he personally believed that with the kind of atmosphere created by the fresh round of talks now, a solution to this long pending issue “is possible”.
