Hurriyat leaders welcome move, say Kashmir is key

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Lahore was welcomed by both factions of the Hurriyat Conference, but the separatists called for a resolution of the “Kashmir dispute” first.

“I am always in favour of good relations between India and Pakistan, but this can only happen if the human problem of the people of Jammu and Kashmir is resolved (sic),” Syed Ali Geelani, leader of the hardline Hurriyat faction.

Echoing his view, chairman of the moderate faction Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said: “It is a positive move, a good step and we should welcome easing of tensions between the two countries, but the basic issue of Kashmir will have to be resolved if the two countries really want to move ahead in good neighbourly relations.” “Nobody wants to oppose peace between India and Pakistan...,” said Muhammad Yasin Malik, chairman of the pro-azadi Jammu and

Kashmir Liberation Front.

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