Azad trashes Musharraf's Valley-centric formula

Debunking the 'Valley-centric' self-rule and demilitarisation formula put forth by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said that the aspirations of the six regions of Kashmir must be considered before arriving at any solution to the vexed issue.

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"We have to keep in mind that the solution is not in arriving only at a Valley-centric approach. The state of Jammu and Kashmir comprises six regions - Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Ladakh, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan. So, the aspirations of all six regions must be taken into account for a lasting solution to the problem," he told journalists during a function at Marhi village in Udhampur district on Tuesday.

Azad said he had seen Musharraf's interview on a television channel in which he had made the proposals.

"I think the Pakistani President has not applied his mind as everything was hotch-potch and the road map was not clear when he was making the proposals," he said.

Establishment of a democratic system 'is an internal matter of our neighbouring country, but I am of the opinion that demilitarisation is required more in Pakistan than in Jammu and Kashmir,' he said, referring to the military rule in Pakistan.

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"Though Musharraf had taken many bold initiatives for restoring peace in the sub-continent, I was shocked by his proposals," Azad said, entertaining suspicions about the condition of demilitarisation to wipe out terrorism from J&K.

"We have reason to get suspicious as those who have been imposing conditions to stop terrorism might have been patronising them as well," he added.

Azad asserted that there was no need for self-rule in J&K as the 2002 assembly elections had been credited as the fairest one in the country. He was, however, optimistic of the confidence-building measures between India and Pakistan.