Islamabad, Sep 22: In a virtual snub to separatist leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani's stand that Pakistan should not talk to India on matters like trade till the Kashmir issue is resolved, senior PoK politician Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry today said things should “start moving and rolling.”
Chaudhry, the former “prime minister” of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, said he had conveyed his position to Geelani during a recent meeting in Srinagar.
“Geelani has his views and wants (Jammu and Kashmir) to join Pakistan...I told him that status quo does not suit us. Things should start moving and rolling,” he said.
Chaudhry said he had stated his position after Geelani reiterated his stance that Pakistan should hold talks with India on issues like boosting trade only after the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
Chaudhry, who was addressing a news conference on his return from his first visit to India, was impressed with what he saw in Jammu and Kashmir.
“The truth is there has been more development on that (Jammu and Kashmir) side. It is very beautiful and I visited a golf course and a trout fishing farm...I have seen those things and we should take steps to implement similar measures here,” he said.
Though Chaudhry had gone to Srinagar to attend the wedding of a friend's son, he said he had used the visit to hold talks with all sections of the leadership in Jammu and Kashmir, including Hurriyat leaders and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
“We don't recognise the Jammu and Kashmir government but Omar Abdullah is a leader amongst (them) all,” he said, adding that he had had a 45-minute meeting with the Chief Minister on the sidelines of the wedding. PTI
