The Hindu : 'Ready for talks without conditions'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Mar 19, 2002

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'Ready for talks without conditions'
By Shujaat Bukhari

SRINAGAR, MARCH 18. The former Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan, who is chairman of Pakistan's National Kashmir Committee (NKC), is ready for an unconditional dialogue with India to find an amicable settlement to the Kashmir problem. He is planning to send a delegation to India for the purpose.

In an hour-long interview with The Hindu over telephone from the PoK capital, Muzaffarabad, Mr. Khan said Kashmiri leaders should be allowed to meet anywhere to provide a conducive environment for a comprehensive dialogue. The dialogue should not embarrass any party, and any idea of victory or defeat should be buried forever. He said that even the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Farooq Abdullah, could not be ignored in a final settlement of the Kashmir dispute, a view opposed by the separatist All-Party Hurriyat Conference.

On the Pakistan Government's action against `jehadi' groups, he said outfits such as the Jaish-e-Mohammad and the Lashkar-e-Taiba did not even operate from `Azad Kashmir'.

Excerpts of interview: under 'National' section)

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