SRINAGAR: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers Farooq Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti joined nearly 60 signatories from across India in calling for renewed dialogue between India and Pakistan, inviting a stinging criticism from BJP. The party accused them of “once again choosing to echo Pakistan’s narrative instead of standing with the victims of Pakistan-sponsored terrorism”.In a letter to the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, Farooq, Mehbooba and others have appealed to the two govts to take meaningful and sustained steps towards restoring peace, normalcy, dialogue and cooperation in South Asia.“India and Pakistan together are home to nearly one-fifth of humanity. A large proportion of our population is young. Continued hostility deprives millions of young people of opportunities, prosperity and a secure future,” states the letter.Kashmir’s chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and several MLAs, including Aga Muntazir Mehdi of PDP and Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami of CPM, have also signed the letter.“The people of both countries deserve a future defined by peace, development, connectivity and cooperation, rather than perpetual mistrust and confrontation. Decades of estrangement has hindered our collective potential and imposed significant social, economic and human costs. We believe that sustained engagement and dialogue remain the only viable path to resolving differences and building a stable and prosperous region,” the letter further says.Mirwaiz said if the US and Iran can hold talks, India and Pakistan can also come to the negotiating table. Speaking to media persons Tuesday, he said: “Friendship between India and Pakistan offers the best path toward resolving longstanding issues, including the Kashmir conflict.”
