Kashmir separatists describe Nawaz's UN speech positive, call for demilitarization

While describing Pakistani prime minister's Nawaz Sharif's speech at the United General Assembly as positive, separatist leaders today said India should respond to Sharif's proposals.

Hard-line separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani alleged that Kashmir is the highest militarized zone in the world where army has committed war crimes. He said Pakistani Prime Minister has done commendable job by reminding the UNO of its duties and responsibilities toward resolving Kashmir.

He alleged Indian army has subjected over 10,000 people to enforced disappearance and killed over 10,000 in custody. He alleged innumerable Kashmiris have been subjected to torture and inhume treatment and rape has been used as war weapon to subjugate people with 7000 women being subjected to rape.

Geelani said Sharief represented emotions, sentiments and thinking of Kashmiris in the UN General Assembly. Geelani said in spite of being oldest dispute in the UN, the world body has dented its credibility by not resolving Kashmir according to wishes of Kashmiri people. He said since the establishment of the UNO people of Kashmir have reposed great faith on it that it would resolve Kashmir dispute but it has not anything so far to resolve it.

While calling for restructuring of the UN body, Geelani said even though 18 resolutions have been passed by the UNO about Kashmir, it has failed to implement them.

Moderate separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq described statement of Pakistani prime minister as positive and realistic. He asked India to respond to "concrete suggestions and proposals of Nawaz Sharif" and take steps toward demilitarization.

Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday proposed a new initiative with India while calling for demilitarization of Kashmir and Siachen during his address to 70th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Sharif proposed the four-point initiative which includes formalization of border ceasefire and demilitarization of Kashmir and Siachen.