Separatists part of problem not solution, Junaid Qureshi

Separatists part of problem not solution, Junaid Qureshi

Claiming that the separatist groups were the part of Kashmir problem and not its solution, diplomatic secretary foreign affairs of Democratic Liberation Party (DLP) Junaid Qureshi has claimed the pro-freedom camp has become irrelevant and thus it was time for young Kashmiris to take matters into their hand and work for peace.

He also claimed that tripartite dialogues on Kashmir was not possible, and stressed for a need to institutionalized Intra Kashmir dialogue across the LoC between all five units of Kashmir, i.e. Jammu, Ladakh, Valley, Pakistan Administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.

In an exclusive interview with Kashmir Magazine (KNS’s sister organisation), Junaid Qureshi claimed, “The separatist camp has failed to build consensus between Kashmiris. They represent a small but fragmented portion of the population. Barring JKDLP and JKLF, every separatist organization represents the ideology of accession to Pakistan. They propagate of freeing us from the clutches of India and becoming slaves of Pakistan. I call these separatists not Pro-movement or pro-freedom, they actually are pro-slavery leaders.”

“I think it is time for the separatist camp to read the writing on the wall and move aside. It is time for Young Kashmir to take matters into their hand and work for peace,” he added.

Junaid, who is son DLP chairman Hashim Qureshi, claimed the separatist camp was not part of the solution, but rather part of the problem. “They become irrelevant.”

Junaid said that given the current political scenarios in India, Pakistan and Kashmir, holding tripartite dialogues on Kashmir was not possible. “I would rather advocate to take a step back. Why not pitch and aim for a genuine ‘Intra Kashmir dialogue’ before we think about a tripartite dialogue,” he said, adding “We need institutionalized Intra Kashmir Dialogue across the LOC between all five units of Kashmir, i.e. Jammu, Ladakh, Valley, Pakistan Administered Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan.”

Junaid said when “we talk about institutionalized tripartite dialogue, we first will need to determine who will speak on our behalf. Even if we have done that, we will need to determine what they will talk about. Which sentiment, opinion or solutions will they represent? As such, I think that the demand for tripartite dialogue is mere rhetoric and not practical. Intra Kashmir dialogue will have to precede any kind of tripartite dialogue, as then only a tripartite dialogue can yield tangible results.”

He said the religious radical elements have been exploiting the Kashmir issue which could have disastrous consequences in the future as “global terrorist organizations” have expressed their desire to expand their warzone into Kashmir as a new battleground.

“We need to understand the geo-political situation around us. I think the radicalization of the Kashmiri youth is part of a larger conspiracy. Daesh is gaining ground in Iraq and Syria. There are even reports that they might be knocking at the door in Afghanistan,” he said, adding that the Pakistani military establishment will not allow these elements to flourish in cities like Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar.

“They might be diverted towards India and Kashmir. This radicalization of the Kashmiri youth seems to be the foundation for what is coming next. There is indeed a threat of the Islamic fundamental gun of the Taliban and even Daesh which could be exported to Kashmir and this radicalization of the Kashmiri youth is perhaps groundwork for such a disastrous scenario.”

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