Kashmir Affairs - Security & Conflict Analysis of Kashmir

Why was it necessary to boycott the conference by the Kashmir Centre?
The APPKCC was not against the conference. The reason of boycotting the Kashmir Centre conference was because of the invitation to the pro India ‘leader’, Omar Abdullah.

What did you achieve by the demonstration against the conference outside of the British Parliament?
We have highlighted that the pro Indian leaders who are responsible for the deaths of the innocent Kashmiris over the last sixty years will not be allowed to be imposed again on Kashmiri people. The Sheikh Abdullah family is basically responsible for the situation and suffering of the Kashmiri people today.

The Kashmir Centre is supported by the Pakistani government and your group is also pro-Pakistani. So what was the wisdom of opposing the Kashmir Centre conference? They must have the Pakistan government’s nod.
We are not against the Kashmir Centre; we have helped establish it and always extended our support to it. Yes, we are pro Pakistan; however, we believe that the Kashmiri people should decide their own future. Any imposed decision is not accepted and we will not allow any activity and conspiracy against the freedom struggle. The Kashmir Centre should have taken all the groups in confidence before organising such a programme.

You held a rival conference inside the British Parliament. How would you compare it to that of Kashmir Centre?
The APKCC conference in the House of Parliament was a successful event and sent the message to the participants of the other conference and the head of the Kashmir Centre that ignoring pro movement Kashmiri leaders from both sides of Kashmir, ignoring UK based British Kashmiri community organisations and inviting the pro Indian element will not be tolerated.

The Kashmir Centre head is reportedly blaming Jama'at-e-Islami for creating the whole trouble. What is your reaction?
We are proud of sacrifices and the role of Jama’at-e-Islami in the freedom struggle from both sides of Kashmir but this event was organised by the APKCC. The Kashmir Centre is frustrated and blaming others for their own mistakes. They should accept their fault and be held accountable.

The APKCC had blamed that the Kashmir Centre conference was aimed at bringing Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Omar Abdullah together for elections. Why do you think so?
It is a fact that Mirwaz Umar Farooq, Omar Abdullah and Sardar Attique Khan are acting together is a conspiracy to divide Kashmir. This is in their interests and this is the reason Kashmir Centre kept Omar Abdullah’s participation secret.

How do you view the role of the Musharraf regime?
Musharraf’s stand is not a national stand. Kashmiri people are not satisfied with Musharraf’s present policies and the last four years of dialogue between India and Pakistan has not changed the ground situation in the Indian Occupied Kashmir. Clearly India is not prepared to talk about Kashmir despite all the flexibility shown by Pakistan and even supporting weak leaders like Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.

What are your future plans?
The APKCC is planning to hold an All Parties Kashmir Conference early next year to discuss the situation created by the Kashmir Centre and further programmes will follow.

You reportedly came under pressure from the Pakistani government to abandon the demonstration and rival conference.
We had no pressure from the Pakistan Government. We have always worked with the Pakistan High Commission in London, particularly on Emma Nicholson’s report. The High Commission also fully cooperates with the APKCC.

October 2007