Mirwaiz urges India-Pak leadership to make ceasefire permanent

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 16: Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today urged the political leadership of India and Pakistan to turn the recently announced ceasefire into a permanent agreement, saying it is the “earnest hope” of the people of Jammu and Kashmir for lasting peace.
Addressing a large congregation at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid, the Mirwaiz said the recent escalation between the two nuclear-armed nations had once again brought the region to the brink of disaster, leaving scores of civilians dead and many injured along the Line of Control (LoC).
“In the last few days, we have gone through another harrowing experience. Even the ‘limited escalation’ was enough to destroy the lives of those living along and across the LoC. The image of the smiling twins, 12-year-old Zain and Urwa, will continue to haunt us,” he said.
Mirwaiz said Kashmiris have long borne the brunt of this conflict and questioned why meaningful dialogue between the political leaderships of both countries remains elusive. “If the DGMOs of both sides can talk and reach an agreement, what is preventing India and Pakistan leadership from doing so?” he asked.
He reiterated that for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, peace and resolution-not war and continuation of conflict-are paramount. “From afar, Kashmir is a nuclear flashpoint. For India and Pakistan it is a territorial issue. But for us, it is a bleeding wound that refuses to heal,” he said.
Mirwaiz extended condolences to the families affected by the recent hostilities and urged the authorities to offer assistance to the worst-affected communities along the LoC.
Commenting on the Government’s recent ban on his socio-political organisation, the Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee, Mirwaiz said the move was being contested “without engaging with the process,” as he did not wish to dignify the allegations against the party. He said further details would be shared soon.

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