Dialogue, Not Elections, Key to Resolving Kashmir Issue Says Mirwaiz Umar Farooq

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Hurriyat Conference chairman, emphasized that assembly elections won't resolve the Kashmir issue. He advocated for dialogue and criticized disempowerment post-2019 amendments. Farooq highlighted geopolitical concerns, condemning military actions in the Israel-Palestine conflict. He urged for peaceful solutions and prioritization of people's interest by political parties.

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat Conference, asserted on Friday that holding assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir would not address the longstanding Kashmir issue. Instead, he called for peaceful outreach and dialogue as essential measures to resolve the matter.

Speaking at the Jamia Masjid in Nowhatta after being under house arrest for over a month, Farooq differentiated between civic elections and the resolution of the Kashmir conflict. He criticized the lack of real power given to the region's residents after the 2019 reorganization, which conferred sweeping powers to the lieutenant governor.

Farooq expressed hope that post-election political entities will prioritize collective interests over personal gains. Commenting on global conflicts, he condemned the ongoing Israel-Palestine crisis as an exploitation for military gains, advocating for peaceful dialogue based on historical frameworks.