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Pakistan Situation Has Direct Bearing on Kashmir

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, Nov 5: The pro-India chief minister of Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad says the internal situation and imposition of emergency in Pakistan had given a temporary setback to the peace and dialogue process initiated between India and her neighbour.

He hoped that the situation in neighboring country would improve soon so that the dialogue process was taken forward. He said, "The situation in Pakistan has a direct bearing on Kashmir. It was unfortunate that democracy in Pakistan could never take root".

When asked to comment on the imposition of emergency in Pakistan, he replied that it was nothing new for that country, adding "We want that the situation in Pakistan improves as soon as possible".

About troop withdrawal, the pro-Indian the Chief Minister of Kashmir said that the situation did not warrant withdrawal of troops from the border or internal security. He, said however, that relocation and redeployment of troops was a continuous process. He said during the Kargil war, additional troops were inducted whose relocation has been taking place form time to time.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.