New Delhi, September 24
Former Prime Minister and President of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Sardar Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Khan has said that India’s concerns on cross-border terrorism were “exaggerated” as Pakistan Government had taken “all steps to prevent effective movement (of militants).”
In an interview with The Tribune here, Mr Qayyum said the phase when training camps existed was over. “There are no training camps. Why do you need training camps? That phase is over...The phase ended after Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf banned them (extremist organisations),” he said.
Mr Qayyum said Pakistan-based militancy had ended and those still operating in the Valley had come there before fencing was erected.
He defended Pakistan directly administering the northern areas. Asked why the northern areas did not form part of the Kashmir, of which he was the Prime Minister, Mr Qayyum said the perception of Communist threat in 1947 was among the factors that resulted in the area coming under direct administrative control of Pakistan. “The people of the area have liked this arrangement,” he said.
Mr Qayuum, who has been a prominent political figure in PoK politics for over five decades, said the peace process between India and Pakistan was going in the right direction.
