Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that it was need of the hour that Pakistan and India to narrow down their divergences on Kashmir, He said Kashmiris must be part of the dialogue process.
Pakistan Prime Minister in his opening remarks at 42nd session of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) Council said ”we strongly believe that Kashmiris should be an integral component of the ongoing peace process, as they are the primary stakeholders.
The Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of PoK Council addressed the meeting attended by PoK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan, PoK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and other members of the Council.
Gilani said the current peace process between Pakistan and India had raised the level of peoples’ expectations, and should become a symbol of peace, tranquility and fraternity in South Asia.
He mentioned frequent meetings of Pakistani leadership with Kashmiri leaders, that reflected the government’s approach on Kashmiris’ involvement in peace process.
He said, “Pakistan is ready to reverse the course of confrontation in South Asia. We are ready to start a journey of peace and accommodation, in order to provide a better environment for our people to prosper and develop.”
Gilani said peace and stability in South Asia can only be guaranteed if all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India particularly the Kashmir dispute are resolved.
“We hope that the governments of Pakistan and India would live up to the expectations of their own peoples as well as to Kashmiri people, so that the dream of lasting peace in South Asia can be materialized,” he said.
Gilani said the Kashmir dispute remains close to the heart of every Pakistani.
He said the future of both Pakistan and Kashmir is intertwined with shared destinies. He said for the last six decades, Kashmiris have been courageously struggling for the realization of their inherent right to self-determination.
He said that Pakistan would continue its moral, political and diplomatic support for the oppressed people of Kashmir and to their principled struggle.
Gilani regretted that the UN resolutions, which recognized the right to self-determination, remain pending to find the solution to the dispute.
He mentioned that Jammu and Kashmir dispute had a human dimension, with massive Human Rights violations going on as perpetrated by the Indian forces.
Gilani said the provision of basic Human Rights and freedom of the Kashmir people, entails the withdrawal of the Indian security forces, and the repeal of the draconian laws enforced in Indian Kashmir. All kinds of violence in Indian Kashmir must end,” he added.
He said that the recent unrest and violence in Kashmir was a matter of great concern for Pakistan.
He said that the Government of Pakistan, has condemned, the excessive use of force, by the Indian security forces, against the people of Kashmir, which led to the, he said, ‘shahadat’ of several Kashmiris including Sheikh Abdul Aziz, a prominent Hurriyat leader.
Gilani mentioned the dialogue process between Pakistan and India, and said that a number of Kashmir-related Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) had been agreed upon, and being implemented to alleviate the sufferings of Kashmiris.
He assured the Kashmiris that Pakistan would always stand by them, until they succeed in the struggle to achieve their right to self-determination.
Leave Your Comments