Arab Spring was inspired by Kashmir summer unrest: Mirwaiz

Muhammad Aslam Mir

Islamabad, Dec 18: The Arab Spring which saw toppling of regimes in Tunisia and Egypt was inspired by the Kashmir summer unrest, said Hurriyat Conference (M) chief, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq here Tuesday. He said India must demilitarize Jammu and Kashmir and repeal all draconian laws paving way for a conducive atmosphere to settle the longstanding dispute as per the wishes of Kashmiris. Mirwaiz was addressing a joint press conference with Imran Khan after a meeting held between the Hurriyat delegation and the chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI). “It is Kashmir which guided Middle East people towards Arab Spring as the world witnessed the Kashmir Spring when thousands of Kashmiris took to the streets for their rights but unfortunately we have been suppressed by force.” Mirwaiz said the indigenous movement of Kashmiris is being suppressed by military might, “but we are committed to take the struggle to its logical end”.

“Kashmiri youth are unarmed and they have nothing in their hands except stones. Both India and Pakistan have to honour aspirations of Kashmiris to settle the dispute which is a potential threat to the regional peace and security.”

Mirwaiz said though Kashmiris favour Pakistan-India friendship, but the relations of the two countries will not improve without the settlement of Kashmir dispute. “In this modern era nobody can silence anyone through violence. Kashmiris want to bridge the gap between India and Pakistan and time is ripe to take people of Kashmir on board to settle issues.” Mirwaiz said Hurriyat (M) supports bilateral trade and people-to-people contact between the two countries. “However, it should also be visible on Line of Control so that Kashmiris could feel the change on ground.” On the occasion, Imran Khan said, “India has violated human rights in Kashmir for the last 20 years and it must be stopped.”

The star cricketer-turn politician said Pakistan, India and Kashmiris have to support peace “so we can settle our issues and it is only peace that would pave way to prosperity and development in the region”. “Due to weak leadership in India and Pakistan we could not settle Jammu and Kashmir dispute,” Khan said, claiming that after winning the forthcoming general elections his party Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) would take big decisions like Jammu and Kashmir settlement. Earlier, the Hurriyat delegation met Kashmir Committee chairman and Ameer Jamiatul Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) Maulana Fazlur Rehman in Parliament House here. On the occasion Maulana Rehman said, “We are with people of Jammu and Kashmir and time has come to end the miseries of Kashmiris who have suffered a lot in the last 20 years.” Rehman said the settlement of the dispute is in the interest of people of Pakistan and India.

Source: http://www.risingkashmir.in/news/arab-spring-was-inspired-by-kashmir-summer-unrest-mirwaiz-38484.aspx