STATEMENT FROM Prof. Saifuddin Soz, Former Union Minister and President, Peoples’ Empowermet Mission.

25th September, 2017
“Fellow Kashmiris, occasionally, I feel a strong urge in me to share with you my perception on different aspects of the Kashmir Dispute.
At the moment, I want to focus on how to move forward to an Effective Dialogue Process’ for resolving Kashmir Dispute.
My assessment is that the Union Govt. may finally opt for opening a dialogue process in Kashmir.
While this might happen anytime in the foreseeable future, the Kashmiris, who have gone through the most troubled times in recent years, would raise a genuine question as to whether the Union was really interested in a purposeful dialogue. If that was so, then, the level at which the stake holders in Kashmir would feel interested to talk has to be through a person enjoying a recognizable political stature at the national level!
My understanding is that the Home Minister, Raj Nath Singh’s narrative on Kashmir in recent times has been such that could contribute to a decisive dialogue process.
I think, the Prime Minister and the Home Minister of India, must be knowing the fact also that if the Centre could ensure a meaningful dialogue, it has to initiate it with the Joint Hurriyat Leadership. The talks with other political parties and opinion leaders should follow.
Then, there is the question of methodology of the dialogue. It has surely to be based on generating trust. It can be ensured only if the PM’s emissary walks straightaway in the compound of the Joint Hurriyat Leadership. The Union knows it better that it had organized a successful dialogue in Mizurram way back in 1986, by talking straightaway to Lal Denga. While the dialogue in Kashmir will of a different nature, the level at which the centre opens the dialogue has to be high.”