New Delhi: Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit on Sunday told the moderate separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference that Islamabad was waiting for a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and wanted to move forward on all outstanding issues before it took place.
This was conveyed to the Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq when he met Basit in New Delhi.
"We also want that the talks between the two countries should graduate to political level from the bureaucratic level. I was told by the Pakistani envoy that Islamabad hoped that the Indian Prime Minister will visit Pakistan," the Mirwaiz said in New Delhi after the meeting.
He said ahead of such a high-profile meeting both the sides should make attempts to find a common ground all outstanding issues.
"We in Hurriyat have made it clear that we will act as a bridge and not cause any impediment in the process of dialogue between the two countries as long as there is a sincere attempt made to solve the Kashmir issue which has held peace hostage for the entire region," he said.
Ahead of talks, the Mirwaiz suggested that the state as well as the Centre should seriously consider withdrawing "black laws" like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and both the countries should work together and also further strengthen people-to-people contacts and cross-LoC trade.
The Mirwaiz also wanted the media to play a positive role in ensuring that a positive atmosphere is created for the talks to take place. "It's your duty to build an environment for talks," he said.
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