KASHMIR-LD OPPOSITION 2 LAST

"The All-Party Meeting chaired by the Prime Minister (on "The All-Party Meeting chaired by the Prime Minister (onAugust 12) happened because Parliament was in session and itwas the opposition’s initiative that brought the issue twicefor discussion. Otherwise, we would not have heard anythingfrom the government," the National Conference leader said. Asked about the Centre raising the Balochistan issue,Omar said his personal view was that efforts should be focusedon setting "our own house in order". "You (Centre) want to rake up Balochistan, by all meansdo it but there is a fire burning in Kashmir. It also shouldbe addressed," he said. On Pakistan’s role, Omar said, "While Pakistan has ahabit of fishing in troubled waters, I do not think thepresent situation is because of it. If we believe thatPakistan is behind all this, it means that we do not have todo anything to set things right." As far as dialogue with Pakistan is concerned, "we havebeen votaries of dialogue for resolution. Jammu and Kashmirwas made an issue between India and Pakistan way back in 1970swith the Simla Agreement. "We believe Pakistan as our neighbour is a country thatneeds to be talked to… and it is something Prime MinisterNarendra Modi has done in the past," Omar said. In this context, he mentioned Modi’s unscheduled visit toLahore to attend marraige of Pakistan Prime Minister NawazSharif’s kin as well as Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s recenttrip to Islamabad for SAARC conference. PTI MIJ RTAKK