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| Moderate separatists seek PDP and NC support for Gen Musharraf's four-point formula on Kashmir | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Nov 18: Hardliners among the separatists, headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and the moderates, led by Molvi Umar Farooq, continue to be divided as far as their acceptance of Gen. Parvez Musharraf's four-point formula on Kashmir is concerned. As President of Pakistan Musharraf had dished out his plan in 2006 and even after his self-imposed hibernation in London Pervez Musharraf claims that the Indian side, which had been sent the details of the formula through back channel, had agreed on it.
The moderates among the separatists believe that implementation of Gen. Musharraf's four-point formula was an ideal solution to the vexed Kashmir dispute. When asked why the separatists have not been able to suggest to Islamabad and New Delhi a solution that could settle the issue a senior Hurriyat Conference leader Prof. Abdul Gani Bhat, said "if we are asked, by Pakistan and India, to submit a solution we will suggest Gen. Musharraf's four-point formula."
Bhat explained that the formula, if implemented, has the potential of settling the Kashmir issue which has, during the last six decades, defied any solution. He said that Musharraf's formula has one advantage of meeting the aspirations of people of India, Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir.
Without redrawing the border both India and Pakistan can have joint management on Kashmir. Once the border was made soft, as Musharraf has suggested, it could facilitate hassle free trade and travel between the two sides. Once the four-point formula generates peace there was no reason for the Government of India to keep Kashmir under heavy deployment of troops and paramilitary forces, according to Bhat. If that materialises it would meet Musharraf's demand for withdrawal of troops from within the state.
Asked whether Islamabad and New Delhi were prepared to accept Musharraf's four-point formula Bhat said that acceptance and consequent implementation of the formula was not the only viable way to resolve the Kashmir issue but also has the potential of ensuring restoration of peace in the entire South Asian region.
Reports said that initially New Delhi was not totally opposed to the four-point formula but it rejected it after pressure was mounted on the Prime Minister by the BJP. The saffron brigade blamed Manmohan Singh for being soft towards Pakistan while reacting to Musharraf's four-point formula. Delhi has not reacted against Musharraf's claim, made over a month ago, that Delhi, which had received the formula through backdoor channel, did not reject it.
Months after Gen. Musharraf left for London the Pakistan Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, has rejected the formula saying "it is Musharraf's idea." He said the formula had neither the backing of the parliament nor had it been discussed by the cabinet in Islamabad. Qureshi has claimed that since Pakistan had democracy any idea on the settlement of the Kashmir issue, floated by the Government, had to be okayed by the cabinet and then approved by the Parliament. "We cannot accept or implement an idea floated by an individual," he has stated.
Prior to Islamabad's rejection of Musharraf's plan Syed Ali Shah Geelani is on record to have opposed the four-point formula on the plea that it favoured status quo on Kashmir. Geelani does not want the status quo to be maintained on Kashmir but he wants either holding of a plebiscite in Jammu and Kashmir for determining the wishes of the people or direct incorporation of Kashmir with Pakistan.
This way Musharraf's four-point formula does not have the support of major key players in the Kashmir conflict. Yes, the only way for him to secure support from India is to regain power in Pakistan first. Whether as President or Prime Minister of Pakistan Musharraf can secure approval from the Parliament.
However, moderates among the separatists in the valley believe that since there is no third option under UN resolution it would be better for those favouring azadi to support Musharraf's formula. He has gone to the extent of seeking support for the formula from the PDP and the National Conference saying that "NC's autonomy may not be acceptable to many in Jammu and Kashmir and in Pakistan." He is of the opinion that the PDP leadership should have no problem in supporting Musharraf's formula because "it's self-rule concept is nearer to Musharraf's plan." |
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