Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said that the PoK region (Pak-occupied Kashmir) belongs to Pakistan.

In order to resolve the Kashmir issue, we have to speak to Pakistan. Jammu and Kashmir is as much India's part as PoK is rightfully Pakistan's. If Government wants peace, it will have to talk to Pakistan see to it that autonomy be given to Kashmir on either side of the border, he said.

The National Conference leader added, "A Pakistan Minister rightly said that you forget that the part which is yours was acquired by an Instrument of Accession. You forget Instrument of accession and say that the part is yours. If you talk about this being your part, then remember the instrument as well."

When asked for an opinion on Jammu and Kashmir interlocutor Dineshwar Sharma, he said, "I can't comment much on that. He has held talks, but talks alone is no solution. This issue is between India and Pakistan. The Indian government must also hold talks with the Pakistan govt, because a part of Kashmir is also with them."

Meanwhile, reacting on Farooq Abdullah's remark, MoS PMO Jitendra Singh said, "When he was made the chief minister 40 years ago, he had stopped demanding autonomy. When he is not in power now, he is making such statements in a bid to regain a little power. The youth of Jammu and Kashmir are intelligent enough to see through this."