ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has called upon Indian leadership to resume dialogue for resolving all disputed issues between Pakistan and India, including the core issue of Kashmir.

He extended the invitation to the Indian leadership while talking to mediamen after taking oath as the chief executive Northern Areas here on Tuesday.

Mr Sherpao, who is also the minister for water and power, said, “Pakistan wants to resolve all disputed issues with India, including the issue of Kashmir, through dialogue but unfortunately the Indian leadership has still not agreed to resume bilateral talks for this purpose.”

The minister said India must respect the verdict of Kashmiris for the resolution of longstanding issue of this region and “Kashmiris can decide their future only according to their will and desire.”

Responding to a question, Mr Sherpao made it clear that Pakistan would continue its political, moral and diplomatic support to Kashmiris at all international forums. “Pakistan has already asked the United States to play its role for the resolution of the Kashmir issue as innocent Kashmiris are fighting for their rights for the last 50 years,” he said.

He called upon the world community to play its role and press India for giving right of self-determination to Kashmiris according to resolutions passed by the UN Security Council.

Aftab Ahmed Sherpao said, “Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee must give positive response to Pakistan because Kashmir is not only a territorial dispute, it is a matter of the future of millions of people of Indian occupied Kashmir.”

The minister expressed his satisfaction over the rehabilitation work in quake-hit Northern Areas and said the federal government was fully committed to extend all possible assistance to the affected persons. “Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali is monitoring rehabilitation of the quake victims and holding meetings with senior officials of Northern Areas and the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs.” The prime minister is also planning to visit Northern Areas shortly, he said.

Earlier, the federal minister for Kashmir affairs and Northern Areas, Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, took oath as the chief executive Northern Areas. The chairman, Chief Court Northern Areas, Justice Malik Muzaffar Hussain, administered oath at a ceremony held at Northern Areas House. — APP