July 14, 2003	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 13, 1424

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MURREE, July 13: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Sunday said Pakistan will not make any compromise on its integrity, freedom of Kashmir and nuclear programme.

Addressing Kashmir conference organized by Anjuman Talibah Islam here, he said Pakistan will not retreat an inch on its integrity and freedom of Kashmir.

Pakistan is extending political and diplomatic support to Kashmir, he said and added those who are levelling accusations of infiltration should look at the graveyards of Srinagar and Hubakadal.

Mr Rashid said one can understand the international situation by looking at the conditions in Chechnya, Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia.

He said economic programme and political and social circumstances are important for a country but some matters concern honour of the nations.

Kashmir is also a matter of honour for Pakistan, he said adding nations do not compromise on issues of honour.

He said Jehad is part of their belief and a person who denies it is out of the fold of Islam. Freedom movements die down when desire for Jehad ceases, he added.

All the wars in the world during the last two decades are fought in Muslim countries, he said adding lighting of oil wells in Kuwait and Iraq only hurt interests of Muslims and not of anybody else.

Referring to declining influence of United Nations, Security Council, OIC, Arab League and European Union, he said many Muslim countries possess great wealth but they are not united in a world where everybody has economic interests.

The minister said America has created an atmosphere which requires that it should remove apprehensions in the minds of Muslims.

He urged United States to look at the root cause leading to certain events affecting it.

Sheikh Rashid said resolution of Kashmir and Palestine issues is essential for establishment of peace.

He said India cannot stick to its stand on Kashmir for one year, if Islamic world decides not to import its goods and labour.

He predicted that the next 10 years are very important for the region as west has focused its attention on South Asia and is coming towards it.

The country is taken towards chaos, he said adding Balochistan is being targeted today because it is fountainhead of progress for Pakistan in future.

Mr Rashid urged the students to broaden their horizons so that they can better understand international affairs.—APP