|
|
|
| June 5, 2002 | Wednesday | Rabi-ul-Awwal 23,1423 |
Additional UN observers along LoC demanded
MUZAFFARABAD, June 4: Leader of the opposition in the AJK Legislative Assembly and former Azad Kashmir prime minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood on Tuesday demanded of the United Nations to raise the number of its observers along the LOC in Kashmir to effectively monitor the flagrant ceasefire violations by India.
He, speaking at a news conference here, regretted that the international community had always sought concessions from Pakistan, ignoring India’s intransigence and obduracy which was the main hurdle in the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.
“ India is neither willing to accept mediation of any third country nor it agrees to holding tripartite talks to resolve this issue which leaves no doubts in her insincerity to bring durable peace to the South Asian region”, he added.
Mr Mahmood urged the world to pay attention to the settlement of the core issue, instead of falling into the trap of the Indian propaganda.
“ Cross-border terrorism is a term invented by India to divert the attention of the world from the main dispute that is Kashmir”, he said.
“ Terrorism in Kashmir is being committed by the Indian troops under the official patronage, to curb the freedom movement. Over 1,500 graveyards in the length and breadth of the occupied territory are a proof to it,” he said.
The former premier urged India to stop talking about war, as it was a threat to the lives of over one billion people of the two nuclear capable countries.
He said: “ India should resolve the lingering Kashmir problem through peaceful means. Once the problem is resolved, there will not be any need of nuclear or conventional weapons, and both sides will consequently be able to ameliorate the lot of their people.”
Mr Mahmood, who is also chief of Azad Kashmir Peoples Party, held out an assurance to the armed forces that the whole nation would stand by their side to fight the possible Indian aggression.
He, however, flayed the AJK government for its “ failure in meeting the expectations of the people.”
“ The Muslim Conference-led government has completely failed to unite the masses at this critical juncture of history.”
|
|
|
|
