August 31, 2003	Sunday	Rajab 2, 1424

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MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 30: There is a need for international rights organizations and donor agencies to support victims of the Indian-sponsored repression and terrorism, who are migrating to Azad Kashmir to save their lives and honour.

This was stated by AJK minister for finance, planning and development and rehabilitation Shah Ghulam Qadir while speaking at a ceremony to distribute sewing machines among Kashmiri refugees at Basnara camp, some nine kilometres away from here on Friday. The machines were donated by a non-governmental organization.

India, the minister said, committed the worst human rights abuses in the occupied Kashmir, barring the international media and human rights organizations from visiting the territory to protect itself from exposure.

Urging these organizations to visit Azad Kashmir, the minister said that volunteers of rights organizations would then be able to hear horrifying tales of atrocities committed by Indian occupation forces first-hand from the refugees themselves presently residing in dozens of refugee there.

Indian troops, the minister said, had let loose a reign of terror in the occupied Kashmir in their bid to quell the popular freedom movement.

Assuring refugees regarding providing them better facilities, the minister said that despite its limited resources, the AJK government was making an all out effort in this regard.

Stressing the need to forge unity in their struggle for freedom, he said unity and harmony was necessary in this connection.

Criticizing the Indian prime minister for backing out of the ongoing peace dialogue, Mr Qadir reminded him that peace would remain elusive if the Kashmir dispute remained unresolved.

“Indian leaders must realize ... that an early settlement of Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of the people of Kashmir guarantees prosperity for their own people,” he said.