Geelani hits out at 'four-point formula' for Kashmir, terms it a diplomatic trick

Srinagar: Hardline Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani on Wednesday said his organisation is not against “pleasant and friendly” ties between India and Pakistan but rubbished the four-point formula which had been mooted by former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf on the Kashmir issue. Hurriyat is not against a “pleasant and friendly relationship” between India and Pakistan “but it is in no way acceptable to Kashmiris that the two countries ignore their wishes, aspirations and sacrifices and talk about potato and onion trade,” the separatist leader said. [caption id=“attachment_2573186” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Syed Geelani. File photo. PTI[/caption] “India and Pakistan should keep this reality in mind that the real stakeholders of the Kashmir issue are its people,” he said. Referring to Musharraf’s four-point proposal, Geelani said, “This formula is nothing more than softening of borders, people-to-people contact and easing of travel formalities…It is a diplomatic trick of converting the ‘Ceasefire Line’ into permanent border which was rejected by Kashmiri people in one voice.” He described it as a “formula of burial of the wishes, aspirations and sacrifices of Kashmiris” and added it was also against the Constitution and national policy of Pakistan regarding Kashmir. The Hurriyat hawk said the formula was just a “deception” and any such proposal would again be rejected by the Kashmiri people. The formula envisaged softening of Line of Control (LoC), self-governance, phased withdrawal of troops from entire Jammu and Kashmir and joint supervision by India and Pakistan. PTI