Kashmir dispute resolution: Musharraf suggests 'joint framework for self-governance'

President Pervez Musharraf has floated suggestion to institutionalise arrangements to bring people from both sides of divided Kashmir closer.
Musharraf noted that 'none of us is in favour of their (Kashmir's) independence' and suggested that a 'joint framework for self-governance' of the entire Kashmir region should be worked out as part of solution to the problem. "Yes, I think that is a starter. This is a very good term," he told noted constitutional expert A G Noorani in an interview for Frontline magazine when his attention was drawn to Singh's recent remarks that there should be institutionalisation of arrangements to bring people from both parts of Kashmir closer, PTI reported here.
Musharraf was asked whether he would consider Singh's suggestion as 'an acceptable mode of joint management' of the two parts of Kashmir. Singh had made the remarks at the Kashmir roundtable in occupied Srinagar on May 24 while addressing various groups of the state. "The term 'institutional arrangements' is what I think is correct. But we need to define the modalities," Musharraf said in the interview published in the latest issue of the magazine.
Musharraf said there needs to be 'discussion and thought' with regard to the idea of institutionalising the arrangement. With regard to 'autonomy' for Jammu and Kashmir as advocated by New Delhi, he said the word creates confusion and 'negative optics', and needs to be replaced.