Defence Expert rubbishes Pak's move to observe black day, calls for political dialogue

Rubbishing Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's assertion that black day must be observed on July 19 in wake of the killings in Kashmir, Defence Expert Raj Kadyan on Friday said that political dialogue between the two nations must start.

"Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has just concluded holding a Cabinet meeting, basically has highlighted three things. Firstly, next Tuesday they will observe a black day in solidarity with the Kashmir militancy. Secondly, they will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to the militancy in Kashmir. Thirdly, he has asked all the instruments of Pakistani state to highlight the situation of Kashmir in all the international fora," Kadyan told ANI.

He said what Sharif has said is nothing new, adding it makes no difference to New Delhi.

"Pakistan supports not only political, moral, diplomatic, but also material and financial including human material like Jihadists. So, what he says now is nothing new, it makes no difference to us. We have to ensure that our people in Kashmir who for the last six days now have been upset over the death of terrorist leader calm down and accept the reality so that further talks can carry on," he added.

Asserting that political dialogue ultimately must start, Kadyan said India must talk to the people, who matter and find an amicable solution.

"Till that time the security forces will continue to do their jobs. Very unfortunate that 37 people have died. Today is Friday.today is a crucial day when a last congregation is expected. Whether they will do their congregation peacefully or they will again resort to some kind of stone pelting or violence, we are yet to see," he added.

Sharif has said that Pakistan will observe July 19 as a 'black day' to protest against what he described as 'Indian barbarism' in Jammu and Kashmir following the protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani.

Sharif proposed the observance of 'black day' while chairing a special meeting of his Cabinet in Lahore to discuss the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. His proposal was accepted by the Cabinet, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.

Sharif and Pakistan's Foreign Ministry recently angered India by referring to Wani, a commander of the banned Hizbul Mujahideen, as a 'Kashmiri leader' and describing his death as an 'extrajudicial killing'.

At least 37 people have died in the protests following Wani's killing last week.

India dismissed Pakistan's criticism of its handling of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and accused the Asian neighbour of using terrorism as an instrument of state policy.