The third International Peace Conference on Kashmir being organised here in the House of Commons on November 28 to 29 has been described as an important step in the right direction.
However, a spokesperson for the Advisory Council of Justice Foundation Kashmir Centre (JFKC) London has expressed deep sadness and disappointment at the way the spirit of Peace Conference on Kashmir has been interpreted.
He said as had always been the demand of the western politician's, the JFKC, on this occasion took a very bold and courageous step to attempt to bring all stakeholders from both sides of Kashmir together with heavy international presence.
"All political voices of Kashmir have been invited. This conference is to provide an opportunity for opposing political opinions to interact through a constructive and meaningful way." The spokesperson noted that last 60 years had seen no real progress on Kashmir, which was one of the few remaining international disputes.
May be, he said, this had been due to the naivety and ignorance of the ground realities and lack of recognition of the fact that resolution was only possible through open, fair and transparent dialogue between the key stakeholders.
"This necessitates the need for an international facilitation to offer formal enemies an opportunity to recognise the need for empowering the people for their rights including the basic right of self determination," he said.
"We may disagree with individual's point of view but we should be tolerant enough to listen to each other," he said while adding that collective discussions and meetings of Kashmiris from both sides was seen by JFKC as an important step in the right direction and was something which all visionary and strategic people should recognise and appreciate.
He observed that the individual or sectarian philosophy adopted by the leadership had historically undermined serious efforts in the past but expressed hope the leadership today, particularly in West would have an open mind and should have sufficient flexibility, patience and tolerance to listen to all points of views to seek an amicable way forward for the sake of those who have suffered for too many years.