Kashmir
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| | Economic issues, trade no solution to K-issue: Mirwaiz | | Hurriyat (M) holds meeting with business community | | SRINAGAR, Nov 20: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today said economic freedom of Kashmir is as important as political “freedom.”He said the economic issues and corss LoC trade are no solution to the Kashmir issue.
Mirwaiz was speaking during a consultation programme here ahead of Hurriyat (M)’s Pakistan visit. In the first phase of the consultation process Hurriyat (M) leaders held detailed deliberations with the trade fraternity. The meeting was attended by more than 40 associations and organizations of Kashmiri traders, a spokesman of Hurriyat (M) said.
Stating that the Hurriyat (M) has a clear stand on the Kashmir dispute, Mirwaiz said “either the issue should be solved according to the resolutions passed by the United Nations Security Council in UN or the three main stake holders of the K-issue- India, Pakistan, and Kashmiri people should strive for such a solution which would be in tandem with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people.”
The meeting was convened by Mirwaiz. He said the purpose of the meeting was to seek the opinions of cross section of peoples to understand the Kashmir issue in its proper perspective. He said it would also help the conglomerate to formulate an effective strategy which would help towards solving the dispute.
Mirwaiz had a detailed discussion with the trade fraternity to form an economic advisory council (EAC) in Jammu and Kashmir. Later he said that APHC would soon announce the formation of EAC.
Mirwaiz said it was not only the political rights of Kashmir which were usurped, but there had been concerted efforts to paralyze the economy and progress of Kashmiris following a well orchestrated plan. He said making Kashmir- a dependent economy- was a matter of concern.
Speaking on the occasion, the traders stressed over the fact that Kashmir’s political freedom was incomplete without the economic freedom. They said nature has bestowed Kashmir with resources, but India and the state government have illegally occupied them to make to choke Kashmiris economically at all fronts. They said such oppressive polices were a matter of concern and unacceptable for Kashmiris.
The traders said the exploitation of Kashmiri resources continued unabated including the water- main source of power. They further said that restricting the LoC trade was done to leverage out the political mileage out of it. They added in reality Kashmiris were not benefited from the LoC trade.
The participants suggested that to make LoC trade beneficial and profitable, its imperative that it should be given status of freed trade.
Former President of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries Shakeel Qalander on the occasion welcomed the fact that economic issues are being given importance. He asked the Hurriyat Conference to ensure transparency during the visit of its delegation to Pakistan.
While welcoming the consultation process, he asked the Hurriyat to come forward with a united face.
Kashmir Economic Alliance, Chairman Yasin Khan echoed the sentiments of Hurriyat saying political freedom was meaningless without economic freedom. He accused the central and state governments of trying to cripple Kashmiris by illegally occupying the natural resources of the state. However, he said the solution of Kashmir issue was imperative for solution of other issues.
Trade United Front President Sadiq Baqal while welcoming the consultation process said the Government of India has illegally occupied the water resources of Kashmir. He also lamented the fact that the Cross LoC trade was being used for political mileage without actually benefitting the Kashmiri society.
Prominent business mens and social activists Mubeen Shah and Jan Mohd Koul also spoke on the occasion. |
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