Those obstructing Indo-Pak talks ‘will have to face music’: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu, Aug. 22 : National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah on Saturday welcomed Pakistan’s move to hold discussions with India without any pre-conditions but added that those obstructing the talks will have to face the music.

“I think it is a very good thing that they have accepted that they are going to talk without any pre conditions. I welcome the move and I hope that the talks will take place and will bring peace on our borders,” he told the media here.

Responding to a poser on Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Sartaj Aziz’s remark that he was deeply upset with the arrest of Hurriyat leaders, Abdullah said, “The point is that we want talks and if anybody obstructs those talks, they will have to face the music.”

The former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister emphasized that both nations should definitely discuss the grave issue of terrorism.

“It should be discussed and terror should be completely taken out.whether Pakistan or India there should be no terrorism at all. If we want to succeed and have further developments towards peace,” he added.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad earlier this afternoon, Aziz said that no serious discussion could take place with India if the Kashmir issue was not included in the agenda.

“We have already stated that no serious dialogue with India is possible unless Kashmir is on agenda. That is the core issue,” he said.

Aziz further said that whenever he had visited India in the past, he had been given the opportunity and freedom to meet a cross-section of the Indian leadership, and therefore, he could not now understand New Delhi’s move to prevent him from meeting leaders of the Hurriyat at the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi on Sunday.

“When I go to India, I meet different political leaders. When they come, they meet the (Pakistan) opposition and other leaders. This is strange that they (India) will expect that discussion or a meeting with the Hurriyat will become part of agenda. In Pakistan’s view, it is not a substantial item,” said Aziz.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs had earlier issued a statement, saying that its High Commissioner’s invitation to the Kashmiri Hurriyat leadership on August 23 was very much in keeping with the practice and tradition of the past many years.

While the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sent across a strong message to Pakistan, insisting that there are only two stakeholders in the talks between the two Asian neighbours and added that New Delhi is committed to discuss the issues peacefully and bilaterally. (ANI)