Allow us to visit Pak for talks to resume: Mirwaiz

According to Mirwaiz, ‘‘there are no two opinions that the resolution of the Kashmir issue can only be found through dialogue. We are not shying away from talks. But before the third round of talks, we need to go to Pakistan as this will be productive in exploring ways to restart a fruitful dialogue.’’

Mufti, who completed two years in office, said: ‘‘The Centre should not stop Hurriyat members from going to Pakistan if it bodes well for talks. People should be allowed to come and go.’’

The CM said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was keen to address the internal dimensions of Kashmir. Asked whether the PM would hold negotiations with the Hurriyat, Mufti said, ‘‘The Centre is doing serious negotiations.’’

Mirwaiz told The Indian Express that talks can proceed smoothly only if more people from across the spectrum are taken on board.

The 32-year-old chief cleric, who reportedly met Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf at Amsterdam this September, said the Hurriyat was determined to go ahead with talks.

‘‘Since Pakistan is also a party to the dispute and there is a section of Kashmiri leadership staying in PoK, there is a need for consultation before we return to the dialogue table,’’ he said.

According to sources, Mirwaiz, who had indicated that the recent peace proposals suggested by Musharraf were similar to Hurriyat’s roadmap, is still trying for a reunification with the group’s hardline faction headed by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

The two groups, with diverse views on the dialogue process, split two years ago when the then Hurriyat chairman Maulana Abbas Ansari refused to take action against the People’s Conference, a constituent party, for proxy participitation in the 2002 Assembly polls.

However, the sources said that even Musharraf wants the ‘‘two groups to unite at the earliest and speak in one voice.’’