Islamabad, July 25: Returning from his "successful" trip to India, Pakistan's hardline opposition leader Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman in a significant statement asked the militant groups to "cease their operations" in Jammu and Kashmir and help in finding a peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue. "The ultimate end of every militant struggle is negotiations and now the Kashmiri Mujahideen movements should reach that conclusion. We are striving for a peaceful solution to the issue for them," Rehman, the chief of Jamait-e-ul Islam (JuI), said at a press conference in Lahore after his return from the nine-day visit yesterday. Commenting on Tuesday's terrorist attack on an army camp near Jammu, he said "the JuI condemned the attack and the Mujahideen should cease their operations."
When a reporter asked whether it meant "Kashmiris should leave Jihad," he shot back: "Why do you want the Mujahideen not to leave their guns? do their lives have no value? Can guns get them their right?" Rehman said his visit was a "success beyond expectations."

During the visit he had held talks with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee besides meeting with top RSS and VHP leaders.

"The visit paved the way for creating a favourable situation for bringing the two governments and political elements to negotiation table for resolving all outstanding issues including Kashmir," he said.

Bureau Report