December 2, 2001	Sunday	Ramazan 16, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 1: The government, in consultation with Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), has decided to form a high-profile Kashmir committee with AJK former prime minister and Muslim Conference President Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan as its head, official sources told Dawn here on Saturday.

According to the sources, the committee would comprise seven members —chairman, coordinator, one member each from the AJK and occupied Kashmir and three others to be nominated by Pakistan.

A parliamentary Kashmir committee was constituted during the tenure of Benazir Bhutto under the chairmanship of veteran politician Nawabzada Nasrullah Khan. The committee consisted of some MNAs and Kashmiri leaders.

The idea of reviving the committee has been mooted in the wake of the Indian propaganda to divert the world’s attention towards the Kashmiri struggle by maligning the perceived role of Pakistan in the struggle.

Recently, there has been a strong realisation among the top brass of the Musharraf government that the growing propaganda of the Indian leadership and media against the Kashmiris freedom efforts could spoil the 12-year struggle.

The constitution of the committee, the sources said, had been discussed at various levels during meetings of AJK leaders, including Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan and AJK President Sardar Anwar Khan, with President Musharraf.

The committee will have a permanent secretariat with the required staff and funds to highlight the Kashmir freedom struggle at national and international fora. The members of the committee may also be deputed to undertake foreign visits to raise the cause of Kashmir.