Kashmiris watch Pakistan Elections with Interest

Srinagar, July 25: Pakistan elections on Wednesday evoked keen interest in Jammu and Kashmir as people here remained glued to television and radios to know the latest as the voting progressed. Many were disappointed after last week the district magistrates in the valley ordered suspension of 30 television channels being aired from Pakistan and other places outside India. “There is no denying the fact that developments in Pakistan have a direct bearing on Kashmir. “A stable political government there can engage meaningfully with India to work for peace in Kashmir,” said Manzoor Ahmad, 62, a retired bank officer. Traditionally known as the hotbed of separatist sentiment in the Kashmir Valley, people in Srinagar downtown were seen engaged in discussion on the future of democracy in Pakistan. Even the youth who otherwise show no particular interest in politics seemed to be concerned about the future of democracy in Pakistan. (IANS)