PoK belongs to Pakistan, talks with neighbour must for peace in Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

Jammu and Kashmir is as much India's part as PoK is rightfully Pakistan's. If Government wants peace, it will have to talk to Pakistan, said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah.

IndiaToday.in  | Posted by Ankit Misra
New Delhi, November 11, 2017 | UPDATED 15:32 IST
Farooq Abdullah.Farooq Abdullah.

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said that the PoK region (Pak-occupied Kashmir) belongs to Pakistan.

In order to resolve the Kashmir issue, we have to speak to Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir is as much India's part as PoK is rightfully Pakistan's. If Government wants peace, it will have to talk to Pakistan see to it that autonomy be given to Kashmir on either side of the border, he said.

The National Conference leader added, "A Pakistan Minister rightly said that you forget that the part which is yours was acquired by an Instrument of Accession. You forget Instrument of accession and say that the part is yours. If you talk about this being your part, then remember the instrument as well."

When asked for an opinion on Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, he said, "I can't comment much on that. He has held talks, but talks alone is no solution. This issue is between India and Pakistan. The Indian government must also hold talks with the Pakistan govt, because a part of Kashmir is also with them."