For Kashmir Resolution Mainstream Parties Must Engage Government Of India: Shah Faesal

Srinagar, Jan 28: Former IAS officer who has decided to launch his own political party Monday appealed mainstream parties from J&K to engage with Government of India, so that Kashmir issue can be resolved. He said killings in Kashmir can’t go like this forever.

“I belong to a generation of people who don’t trust their leaders easily.

Even motives behind my resignation are being looked into. I resigned because I wanted to bring some spot light on Kashmir situation and also seek the attention from Government of India for doing a political reach out. But I am happy that questions are being asked about it,” Shah Faesal told news agency CNS.

When asked people are confused and want to know the actual stance of Shah Faesal, he said: “My stance is that we need a change in Jammu and Kashmir. I am a pro-Jammu and Kashmir person. I believe that state needs to maintain its territorial integrity and there should be peace in Kashmir. I believe that Kashmir problem needs to be resolved as per the aspirations of the people. I believe that it is very important for us to reach out to both the nuclear powers and ensure that a very lasting solution can possibly be reached at.”

When asked if solution to Kashmir problem lies in restoration of Autonomy, Shah Faesal said that: “There are many people who would say that but I think there are other solutions also which have been proposed and my belief is that we will be discussing those solutions once the stage for discussions come. As of now I am talking about processes, we need to make situation such that we can at least discuss those solutions in future,” he said.

When asked his stand on National Conference or Omar Abdullah, the much hyped Faesal said that he will be charting his individual political journey. “I have respect for all other mainstream parties. I believe that everyone has to be taken along if we want to bring a change in Kashmir.”

About crowd funding, Shah Faesal said that his idea is to make people stakeholders and ensure their participation. He said he will use the money for the people. “I think people must trust me. I believe youth of Kashmir can trust me. We have already trusted so many people. I think people need to give us a chance. It’s not only about vote. It’s about trust, dialogue, communication. I am not asking only for votes. We need to go together to accomplish our mission. I came here after leaving a lot of things of my life and I will be ready to leave more Inshallah.”

Shah Faesal said his agenda is that he wants a solution to Kashmir problem. “We want to engage both the nuclear powers and we want to facilitate dialogue. It is necessary to bring in all the stake holders on table if we really want peace in Kashmir. It is very important that mainstream political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir engage with the Indian state and ensure that we have a resolution of Kashmir problem. Kashmir issue can’t go like this forever,” he said adding that it is really painful to see people getting killed in Kashmir.

Shah Faesal asked people particularly youth not to lose hope. “We have a long way to go. It’s going to be long and hard journey. I have been getting amazing support from people and I thank them all. (CNS)