Talks with stakeholders: Pakistan rejects India’s move as insincere, unrealistic

Says dialogue will hold no meaning without the participation of Hurriyet leadership and Pakistan

A day after India named a former chief of domestic intelligence to lead talks in held Kashmir, Pakistan said the move “did not appear to be sincere and realistic”.

“For any dialogue process to be meaningful and result-oriented, it has to include the three main parties – India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiris,” the Foreign Office said in a statement on Tuesday. “Without the participation of the Hurriyet leadership, no interaction or dialogue would carry any weight or meaning.”

Dineshwar Sharma, a former director of India’s Intelligence Bureau, has been tasked to hold talks with groups ranging from elected representatives to political parties and other organisations.

Foreign Office spokesperson said the designated interlocutor had been entrusted with the task of understanding the “legitimate aspirations” of the Kashmiri people – which in reality had been known for 70 years, i.e. realisation of their right to self-determination.



The communiqué emphasised that the need of the hour was to bring an end to the Indian state-sponsored terrorism in the occupied territory, and have dialogue for peacefully resolving the dispute in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

“This was imperative for ensuring durable and sustainable peace and stability in South Asia,” the statement said.

Hundreds of civilians have died in protests sparked after security forces killed a young Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani last year.