Pakistan needs to talk to mainstream J-K leaders: Omar

Srinagar, July 28 (PTI) North Indian state Jammu and
Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Thursday said Pakistan
will have to talk to mainstream politicians also if the
leadership of Jammu and Kashmir is to be included in dialogue
between New Delhi and Islamabad for resolution of Kashmir
issue.
"If they want inclusion of Kashmiri leadership in the
dialogue, then Pakistan will have to talk to the mainstream
leadership also," Omar told reporters on the sidelines of a
function here.
He said separatists were not the only leaders in Jammu
and Kashmir as the mainstream political parties have proved
their representative character from time to time.
Omar said there was nothing to worry about the meeting
between visiting Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar
and separatist leaders in New Delhi on Tuesday.
"There is nothing new in Hurriyat Conference leaders
meeting Pakistani dignitaries. This is not happening for the
first time and there is nothing to worry about," he said.
Responding to questions, the Chief Minister said he
was satisfied that foreign ministers of India and Pakistan
discussed confidence building measures in respect of Jammu
and Kashmir and also resolved to strengthen these.
"It is a welcome step that the cross-Line of Control
bus services in Jammu and Kashmir will be now open for
pilgrims and tourists from the state," he said.
While welcoming the increase in number of trading days
on cross-LoC routes, Omar said more needs to be done for
making the trade sustainable.
"Proper banking arrangements are needed to strengthen
the trade. It has not happened yet but hopefully it will be
taken up during the next meeting," he added.
Earlier, Omar inaugurated the final match of Kashmir
Premier League 2010 T20 tournament at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket
Stadium here.
The T20 cricket tournament was started last year but
the final could not be played due to five-month strife in the
Valley which left over 110 persons dead and thousands others
injured.
Omar said the youth of Kashmir were always interested
in sporting activities but the situation over the years did
not allow the proper use of sports infrastructure in the
Valley.
"Slowly, we are now putting the grounds and stadiums
to proper use. The Indoor Stadium has been vacated, this
stadium (SK Cricket Stadium) has been improved -- pitch is
better and stands are being renovated," he added. PTI MIJ
SSB