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Vice President of National Conference Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said that Pakistan has an obligation to create a favorable atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir to continue dialogue with India.
He expressed concern over claims by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the "possible" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of a Khalistan separatist leader in Canada in June, saying it "threatens to damage the very strong bilateral relationship" between the two countries. .
The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said his party cannot unilaterally support the women's reservation bill introduced in the parliament by the BJP-led government as it has serious flaws, including its implementation schedule.
"We have always supported dialogue between India and Pakistan, but a favorable atmosphere is necessary for dialogue to continue. It is not only the responsibility of India, but also Pakistan to make the atmosphere conducive for dialogue," Abdullah told reporters at his party's headquarters. here. Referring to the killing of army and policemen in recent encounters, he said that incidents in Rajouri, Kokernag, and Srinagar cannot help create the favorable atmosphere required for dialogue.
He said that so far he has not seen such a step by a neighboring country that would help create the favorable atmosphere necessary for dialogue.
"I always remember the words of (former prime minister) AB Vajpayee that you can change your friends but not your neighbours. This country (Pakistan) will remain our neighbor no matter what we do. But for talks to start, the atmosphere must become favorable and the country must strive for it, he said. Answering a question about the Canadian Prime Minister's statement, former Union Foreign Minister Abdullah said if he has evidence, he should present it to the international community.
"...he claims it is based on an ongoing investigation. It would have been appropriate for him to wait for the investigation to be completed because he is now anticipating the outcome of the investigation.
"If he has evidence to support his claim, I humbly suggest that he share that evidence with the international community, otherwise relations with Canada have always been very good and this (his statement) can damage a very strong bilateral relationship. This is very unfortunate.," Abdullah said. Regarding the women's reservation proposal tabled in Parliament on Wednesday, he said that based on the draft, it would take at least 10 years to implement.
"The bill talks about demarcation and census before its implementation. This means that there is no hope before 2029, and all possibilities for this go to 2034. Why was it necessary to convene an additional session (of the parliament), when the adoption of the project of law had to wait at least 10 years? It could be brought during the winter session," he said. Abdullah said they hoped the law would be passed and implemented immediately.

"There are gaps in this bill and we are working to fix them. I don't see how we can unilaterally support a bill that we believe still has loopholes," he said.
Regarding the return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits, he said that the National Conference has always supported their respectful return.
“Who is against that (repatriation and rehabilitation of migrant Pandits)? I've always said you don't have to take them back. They left there (Kashmir) because of the feeling of insecurity. If you restore a sense of security, they will come back," he said.

He said that moving them from one camp to another meant nothing. "The situation must be such that they would be happy to come back and live where they want. We want that to happen," Abdullah said.