May 5, 2003	Monday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 2, 1424

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RAWALPINDI, May 4: Different Kashmiri leaders and organizations have welcomed the peace initiatives taken by India and Pakistan to normalize relations between the two countries.

In a statement issued here on Sunday, former president and prime minister of Azad Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan welcomed Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali’s invitation to Indian premier Atal Bihari Vajpayee to visit Pakistan for formal bilateral talks.

He said if a meaningful peace process started, then even the freedom fighters would welcome it.

Mr Qayyum said during his visit to Pakistan, Mr Vajpayee must be welcomed wholeheartedly. He said the Indian prime minister had taken a stride towards peace.

Referring to the allegations of cross-border terrorism, he said such charges would adversely affect the atmosphere for future dialogue.

Our Reporter From Islamabad Adds: Jammu and Kashmir People’s Freedom League chairman Mohammad Farooq Rehmani has expressed hope that some initial positive developments in the Pakistan- India relations will pave way for resolution of Kashmir issue.

In a statement issued here, he also expressed his views over a fresh Hurriyat Conference move to bring more parties in its fold and abandon its previous closed door policy.

He called it a positive development, but stressed the importance of making some radical changes in its constitution to make the alliance more democratic.

He lamented a fresh American move to include some Kashmiri groups, like Hizbul Mujahideen, in the list of terrorists organizations. He urged the US to reconsider its decision as it could be exploited by India to crush the genuine peaceful freedom struggle in the occupied valley by intensifying human rights abuses and state terrorism.

He said Indian army was using extra-judicial methods to kill people and there was a mourning atmosphere in every home of Kashmir owing to military brutalities.

Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) has welcomed Indian prime minister’s initiative to resume talks on all issues, including Kashmir, and Pakistan’s prompt and positive response to it.

The JKLF chairman, Amanullah Khan, in a statement issued here, said Kashmiri people should support any peace initiative taken by the governments of the two countries.

However, despite being supporters of Pakistan-India amity, the Kashmiris will not accept any solution that is against their wishes and aspirations, he added.

A Reporter adds: The president of the Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI), Mian Akram Farid, has welcomed Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement to re- establish full diplomatic relations with Pakistan and restore air links between the two countries.

In a statement issued here, the ICCI president said Indian Prime Minister’s decision would help restore the much-needed friendly environment to resume and enhance trade ties between the two countries.

He said the move would help business communities in both the countries with the opportunity to access to each other. The ICCI chief pointed out that bilateral trade between the two countries was continuing via Dubai which was quite expensive for both the sides.