Hurriyat cannot be party to every bilateral talks between India and Pakistan, said People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday.
Talking to the media on the sidelines of a function in Baramulla, she said that Hurriyat could be part of any political process but not NSA-level talks between the two countries. “We have always believed that everybody has a right to put forth their point of view but if the two countries are talking about cross border firing or terrorism, which each country believes is being sponsored by the other, what role does the Hurriyat have there,” she said.
Mufti insisted that the cancellation of dialogue process between India and Pakistan was not in the interest of the people of Kashmir. Last week, the NSA-level talks between the two countries were cancelled over Pakistan's invitation to separatist leaders in Kashmir.
Pakistan on Monday had, however, said that the country won’t resume dialogue with India unless all bilateral issues, including Kashmir, were placed on the agenda.
Pakistan’s national security adviser Sartaj Aziz in an interview in Pakistan had said: “India and Pakistan talks could not be held due to India’s pre-conditions”.
Aziz said the meeting between the director general of Pakistan Rangers and commanders of the Border Security Force (BSF) was scheduled for the next week despite tension along the Line of Control and the International Border.