Geelani slams Pak for 'cozying up to India, sidelining Kashmir'

Geelani slams Pak for 'cozying up to India, sidelining Kashmir'

Says Islamabad should hold talks with Balochis, heal their 'wounds'

Srinagar, Feb 21: Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G) Syed Ali Shah Geelani Tuesday slammed the Pakistani government for "cozying up" to India and "sidelining" the Kashmir issue despite New Delhi showing no signs of shunning its "traditional intransigence."

"India is not willing to give up its traditional intransigence over the Kashmir issue and human rights violations by its forces in Kashmir continue unabated . But, instead of expediting its diplomatic efforts to ensure India is held accountable at international forums , Pakistan in its eagerness to cozy up to India is sidelining the Kashmir issue, and is thus allowing New Delhi opportunities to mislead the world community on Kashmir," Geelani said during his telephonic conversation with Islamabad-based Institute of Policy Studies Pakistan chairman, Senator Professor Khurshid.

According to a statement issued here to Press Bureau of India, Geelani further said that Kashmiris were upset by the "indifference" being shown by Pakistani leadership towards the Kashmir issue.

Geelani added that Kashmiris were not in favour of Pakistan granting India the most favored nation status .

" In response, Professor Khursheed assured Geelani sahib that patriotic Pakistanis are keeping an eye on the Kashmir policy of country's rulers," the statement said.

Asking the Pakistani government to hold talks with the people of Balochistan to address their grievances, Geelani warned that using force will further "complicate" matters.

"The only way for the Pakistani government to foil the conspiracies of foreign powers is to heal the wounds of Balochi people and initiate talks with them to address their grievances," Geelani said .
According to a statement issued here by the amalgam to PBI, Geelani told Qureshi that he had warned former Pakistan president Pervaiz Musharaf against using force in the province.

" I had warned Musharaf that there was no justification for using force against and pursuing such policy would destabilize Pakistan," he said.

Geelani said the majority of people in Balochistan were ideologically linked to Pakistan and would never wish the country any harm. Expressing concern over a bill submitted to the US House of Representatives in support of the "right of self-determination" of Balochis, Geelani said world powers should stop "interfering in the affairs of independent and sovereign nations." He expressed hope that the Pakistani people unite to protect their country against "such conspiracies." (PBI)