SPRINGFIELD, Virginia – World Kashmir Awareness Secretary General Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai has said that the Kashmiris firmly believe that the only way to achieve a peaceful and lasting solution to the Jammu Kashmir issue is through dialogue and negotiations. Addressing a gathering here, he said that there could be no solution to the Kashmir issue without the participation of the Kashmiri leadership in any process to settle it. He reiterated that it was a fact that Jammu Kashmir was not the integral part of any member state of the United Nations. “In this regard, we appreciate the statement of Peter R Lavoy, special assistant to US President Barack Obama on South Asian Affairs who called Jammu Kashmir a disputed territory on August 20, 2015. “I think, it’s up to them (Pakistan and India) to address these issues together. I expect that they probably will,” Dr Fai quoted the aide statement. – Million march in New York – Dr Fai emphasised that the time has come for the world powers especially the United States to recognise the people of Jammu Kashmir as the central party to the issue. During the function, a ‘million march’ was also announced. The march will take place on October 25, 2015 at 12pm in front of the United Nations in New York. The ‘million march’ will help the efforts of the Kashmiri expatriates to educate policymakers regarding the current situation in the disputed state and to focus attention on efforts to bring Pakistan, India and Kashmiri leadership to the negotiating table to explore all possible options to settle the issue once and for all. – Invitation to Hurriyat Conference – Dr Fai hoped that India would facilitate the travel document of Hurriyat Conference leaders Mirwaiz Dr Umar Farooq, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mohammad Yasin Malik and Shabbir Ahmed Shah to participate in this important event. Former Azad Jammu Kashmir prime minister Barrister Sultan Mehmood said that the ‘million march’ would be a joint platform of all Kashmiri expatriates and “our friends irrespective of their political beliefs, religious affiliations and linguistic limitations.” Sultan informed the gathering that the Hurriyat leadership would be invited from the Indian-held parts of the disputed state to participate in the proposed march. “We want the United Nations and the United States to know that a political leadership exists in Jammu Kashmir with a popular support, which seeks a peaceful and negotiated settlement. That leadership is the Hurriyat,” he said. – Hurriyat as an equal partner – Sultan said that the Hurriyat was ready to negotiate the final settlement of Jammu Kashmir with the governments of Pakistan and India. “We know Pakistan has shown eagerness to accept Hurriyat as an equal partner but the question is whether India will join them at the peace table or opt for repression over dialogue,” he said. Other speakers Junaid Bashir, Sardar Gulfaraz Inqilabi, Sardar Zulfiqar Khan, Rana Saadat, Iqbal Chand Dody, Zahoor Galyati, Sheikh Waqas, Yasir Buhter and Sharafat Shah also stressed that the US support in persuading India to join Pakistan and the Hurriyat Conference at a peace table and seek a peaceful settlement will be critical.