People's Conference chairman Sajjad Lone today alleged that both India and Pakistan had failed to deliver a lasting solution to the Kashmir issue and said the only way forward was ‘‘international intervention.’’ He also called people of Jammu to ‘‘join hands with Kashmiris to fight against India and Pakistan’’ as, he said, both were working against the interests of the people here. Lone, who had come here to address a day long convention of his party, told mediapersons: intervention koi bhee kare chahe UN (United Nation), United States (US) yaa koi aur. Dono India or Pakistan ko is issue par meeting ke liye lana hoga (Whoever be the intermediary has to bring both India and Pakistan to the meeting table). He said there is a ‘war’ within Jammu and Kashmir for which both India and Pakistan were equally responsible. ‘‘India is using Jammu against Kashmir and Pakistan is using Kashmir for its benefits,’’ said Lone. He asked the people of Jammu to come forward, ‘‘end differences and join hands with the Kashmiris.’’ However, he made clear his strong differences with hawk Geelani’s view that Kashmir is a religious problem. ‘‘This is a political problem and simultaneously a psychological problem also. There is a need to tackle it,’’ said Lone. He said his father Abdul Gani Lone sacrificed his life to fight against those who advocate violence and talk of religious azadi. ‘‘My father never supported extremism. This is the time when we should wake up. Otherwise this tragedy may happen with more. We have to strengthen those forces who raise their voice against extremism,’’ said Lone.
