Interview Of The Week - FAZAL HAQ QURESHI
_________________________________________________

‘Salahudin is not asking for an immediate
involvement of Pakistan in the talks’

Fazal Haq Qureshi, one of the founders of the separatist movement in Kashmir was suddenly pitchforked into the limelight last month when the Hizbul Mujahideen nominated him as their representative for the talks the militant organisation was to have with New Delhi.
Qureshi, 56, was first jailed during the 1965 war soon after he had joined the J&K state transport department as clerk. He remained there for six months only to find himself suspended after release. In 1968, he launched the first insurgency group in Kashmir, Al Fatah, and was arrested from its headquarters at Barsu in south Kashmir. He was released in 1974 but again arrested for launching an agitation against the Indira-Abdullah accord of 1975.
Qureshi later founded Peoples League, a separatist political outfit, to become its first chairman. He was again jailed for two years. The Government later withdrew all Al Fatah cases in a bid to win them back and Qureshi was reinstated. He remained in government service till 1990, when he was again sacked and picked up for his role in militancy. He remained in Naini jail, Allahabad, till 1992.
Residing in Soura colony in Srinagar with his teacher-wife and four children, he is now a firm believer in a ‘‘peaceful and amicable resolution to the Kashmir dispute’’. Here, in an exclusive interview to MUZAMIL JALEEL, Qureshi discuss the future of Kashmir. Excerpts.

Is there any chance of resumption of talks between the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Centre?
The negotiations have not failed. The process has been delayed and not derailed. Both the sides are working over it and we hope talks will be initiated soon. There is a reason behind my optimism. All the parties of the Kashmir dispute acknowledge that dialogue is the only way for its permanent and lasting resolution. It is the experience of past 50 years that wars have not helped resolve the dispute.

The ceasefire has failed and the Hizbul has renewed its violent campaign, New Delhi too has taken a harder position. What makes you optimistic about the resumption of dialogue. Do you still form a link between the Hizbul and Centre?
I am still a link and am trying to create a conducive atmosphere for an early resumption of dialogue. I spoke to Syed Salahudin (the Pakistan-based leader of Hizb) as well as several important people in Delhi (those who established contact with me after the Hizb chose me as their negotiator). In fact, I got a very positive and sincere proposal from Salahudin. He offered a comprehensive ceasefire if the Government of India accepted Pakistan as a party to the dispute in principle. Pakistan could then join the dialogue process at a later stage and the initial talking will be bilateral with Government of India. Salahudin categorically told me that if the Government of India gives an assurance to involve Pakistan, he will not waste even a second to reciprocate and will announce a comprehensive ceasefire. My party, Peoples Political Front (PPF), has launched a peace offensive. Peace not for the purpose of peace alone but a lasting one which will pave way for a permanent settlement of Kashmir dispute.

Isn’t Salahudin’s condition of Pakistan’s involvement in the dialogue a hurdle in the initiation of negotiations?
It is no hurdle at all. In fact, it is very essential if we wish the dialogue to be successful. Pakistan is as important to the Kashmir dispute as India is. How can one ignore them and have a notion that peace is round the corner. Accepting Pakistan as a party in the dialogue is not a concession or a favour to the Hizbul Mujahideen. It is pre-requisite for talks to succeed.

What is special in Syed Salahudin’s latest offer. Isn’t it the same old Pakistan stand of tripartite talks?
Salahudin is not asking for an immediate involvement of Pakistan. What he demands is an assurance that Pakistan is also accepted as a party to the dispute and involved in the negotiations at a later stage so as to reach to a permanent resolution. It is high time wisdom prevails in Delhi and they reciprocate.

But the Government of India has been stressing for an end to cross-border terrorism before initiating a dialogue with Pakistan?
New Delhi’s demand is genuine. But its rigidity is not the way out. The answer lies in Salahudin’s latest offer. Once there is a comprehensive ceasefire, things will ease immediately. The ball is in India’s court. If India is sincere and accepts Pakistan as a party, he is promising not unilateral but a comprehensive ceasefire. It is a healthy step towards resumption of a meaningful dialogue. I have been stressing upon Delhi to accept it.

What does Salahudin’s comprehensive ceasefire mean when the jehadi groups are not a party to it?
Salahudin has already tackled majority of the complications while ground work is still going on. He has met with almost all commanders of groups active here to get their support in this broad-based and comprehensive move. In fact, he is busy in that exercise and if Government of India reciprocates, it will help him get support of all the groups. This latest offer was made after a lot of thinking across the border. In fact, he is enjoying the blessings of his aaqas (mentors) too.

The Hizbul recently blamed the Hurriyat of having no programme and policy and asked them to join militancy if they feel armed struggle was the only way out. Is there a rift?
There was a definite reason behind the Hizbul Mujahideen’s reaction. This rift has its roots in the Hurriyat response to the Hizbul ceasefire offer. But I did not approve of it. Hizbul reaction was not proper. This approach will lead towards dissension and will weaken the movement. The need of the hour is unity of thought and action. Hurriyat sought explanation from me for accepting the facilitator role. We told them we accepted this challenge in the larger interest of the movement.

Next - Straight Face