Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was also a part of Jammu and Kashmir, while speaking at an all-party meeting convened to discuss the ongoing unrest in Kashmir. The unrest has its roots in the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen self-styled commander, Burhan Wani. Modi also said: "It's a matter of happiness that all parties have spoken in one voice on J&K."
Modi also said: "We are committed to a stable and peaceful solution to the issue of J&K. We are committed to the welfare of the people of J&K." The prime minister added: "I am grateful to all political parties for raising concerns with regard to the prevailing situation in J&K."
Modi also said: "Every Kashmiri wants peace and has faith in the democracy. This is why, despite warnings from some separatists elements, the people of J&K showed their faith in democratic principles during polls."
He said: "It is the responsibility of every government to maintain law and order. There cannot be any compromise on national security."
That Modi said during the meeting that PoK was a part of meeting was told to reporters by Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D Raja after the meeting. The CPI leader also said: "We have suggested that the government start a dialogue process with all stakeholders [in the Kashmir issue]."
Interestingly, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's foreign minister Sartaj Aziz said on Friday: "If comprehensive dialogue will take time and India is ready to at least talk on Kashmir issue, then we are also ready."
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, later addressing journalists, said: "The orime minister said the time has come for Pakistan to answer to the world on atrocities against people in Balochistan and PoK."
He added: "The Centre has decided on a development package of over Rs. 80,000 crore for the overall development of J&K and its people."
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, who was also in attendance at the press conference, said: "Security forces have been advised to act with utmost restraint,curfew relaxed in several parts of J&K. There is no lowering of guard as far as security is concerned. Security forces will act with utmost restraint."
