May 15, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, 1424

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ISLAMABAD, May 14: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said there is no change in Pakistan’s stand on the Kashmir issue and it will continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris’ struggle for achieving their right to self-determination.

The prime minister was talking to an eight-member delegation of AJK Muslim Conference, United Kingdom, headed by its president Mahmood Riaz which called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.

Mr Jamali said Kashmiris’ freedom struggle derived its legitimacy from the United Nations resolutions and added that sacrifices being rendered by them formed a glorious chapter for our history.

The prime minister urged overseas Pakistanis to invest in their own country for its economic progress. The president, he pointed out, had implemented his roadmap for return to democracy by holding elections in accordance with his promise.

The delegation apprised the prime minister of certain problems being faced by overseas Pakistanis, especially those from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

They thanked the prime minister on reducing fee for national identity card for overseas Pakistanis with simplifying the procedure for its procurement. The delegation invited the prime minister to visit UK.

AFGHAN PRISONERS: Pakistan will release all Afghans serving jail terms in the country for violating the Foreigners Act and instructions have been issued to all home departments in this regard.

Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali said this while talking to Afghanistan’s minister for overseas Afghans, Haji Mangal Hussain, who called on him at the Prime Minister’s House on Wednesday.

The minister also discussed with the prime minister matters relating to reconstruction of Afghanistan.

The Afghan minister also discussed bilateral relations, especially repatriation of technically qualified and skilled Afghans residing in Pakistan.

The prime minister said Pakistan would extend all support and cooperation for the reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao and Afghan ambassador to Pakistan were present.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has been compiling data to work out the release of Afghans prisoners.—APP