Responding to a question regarding the Government of India's announcement designating Dineshwar Sharma, a former Indian intelligence officer, as the Central Representative to initiate "interaction and dialogue to understand legitimate aspirations of people in J&K", the Spokesperson stated that the measure did not appear to be sincere and realistic.

The Spokesperson said that, if anything, the Indian Government's announcement illustrated a recognition - once again - of the futility of the use of force and of the indispensability of dialogue. However, for any dialogue process to be meaningful and result-oriented, it has to include the three main parties - India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris. In that context, without the participation of the Hurriyat leadership, no interaction or dialogue would carry any weight or meaning.

The Spokesperson further added that the designated interlocutor had been entrusted with the task of understanding the "legitimate aspirations" of the Kashmiri people - which in reality had been known for 70 years, ie realization of their right to self-determination. The Spokesperson emphasised that the need of the hour was to bring an end to the Indian state-sponsored terrorism in Occupied Kashmir and to have dialogue for peacefully resolving the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

This was imperative for ensuring durable and sustainable peace and stability in South Asia. Pakistan hoped that the international community would play its rightful role in facilitating such an outcome.

Copyright News Network International, 2017