Make someone like Desmond Tutu special envoy on Kashmir: Fai

Washington - Ghulam Nabi Fai, who was sentenced to two years in prison for accepting money from Pakistan's ISI to fund his illegal lobbying efforts on Kashmir, has urged the United States to appoint someone like Bishop Desmond Tutu to be special envoy on Kashmir.

Fai was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation on July 19, 2011 for conspiracy to defraud Washington by concealing the transfer of at least 3.5 million dollars from the Pakistani spy agency to lobby and influence the US government on the Kashmir conflict in violation of Foreign Agents Registration Act.

The American citizen of Kashmiri origin was the executive director of the Kashmiri American Council (KAC), an organization based in Washington, D.C., at the time of his arrest.

In his first interview to KAC after his sentencing, Fai said Washington should initiate a dialogue on Kashmir and have the US, India, Kashmir, Pakistan and China on talking table to settle the issue.

He said that an atmosphere free of compulsion and intimidation is necessary to know the will of people of Kashmir.

Commenting on his two years prison sentence, Fai said words couldn't define the remorse "I have for what I have done to my family and the US."

Speaking on speaks on the subject, "Kashmir: Past, Present & Future" he said he is fighting for the freedom of Kashmir, as the oldest issue pending with the United Nations should be settled according to the wish of the people of the state.

The Jammu and Kashmir police has formed a Special Investigating Team (SIT) to probe Fai's alleged anti-national activities in the state and is likely to issue red corner notices against people involved with Fai.