 Fresh calls for the reunification of Kashmir were made, on Friday, at a conference on the future of the disputed territory. Six Pakistani lawmakers from Kashmir attended the Intra-Jammu and Kashmir dialogue, held, over two days, in the winter capital, Jammu. The conference was organized by a number of leaders from the Indian side, in collaboration with the University of Jammu.
| I wonder if the reunification includes rejoining Pak-absorbed Kashmir into it? |
Arif Shah, member of the Jammu and Kashmir All Party Alliance, in Pakistan-held Kashmir, expressed his desire to see Kashmir reunited and returned to its previous status as a princely state, which existed before the partition of India in 1947. âThe only solution for the conflict in Kashmir is to reunify the province. This will appeal to those, on either side of Jammu and Kashmir, who want peace at all costâ, he said.
| It can then be subverted and overthrown by the jehadis, of course. But in theory that would present the best "compromise," assuming the jehadis were all dead. |
Another politician, Choudhary Munir Hussain, of the Peopleâs Party, also from the Pakistani side, indicated a united Kashmir would improve the lives of its people and relations between the two neighboring countries, adding that a return to an independent state âwould end all conflictsâ in the region.
| I notice he doesn't dwell on the fact that if the jehadis were all dead and gone the place would be a lot more peaceful, too... |
Bhim Singh, who coordinated the conference said history was being made at the conference as politicians from India and Pakistan were meeting together. âGovernments should respect the feelings and desires of the people of Kashmir from either sideâ, he said. Commenting on recent peace overtures between India and Pakistan, Prof. Khalid, member of the National Party in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, welcomed the thaw in relations and hoped it would pave the way for a peaceful solution to the dispute. He warned, âIndia and Pakistan should give the people of Kashmir the right to determine their future.â 
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