06 February 2004	Friday	14 Zilhaj 1424

WASHINGTON, Feb 5: Federal Minister for Information Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Wednesday stressed the need for peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue, so that a long-lasting peace, normalization and stability in South Asia is achieved "in the best interest of the region."

He said this while speaking at Kashmir Solidarity Day held at the Pakistan embassy here.

The dialogue process, he said, could help bring about a peaceful resolution of the main irritant between India and Pakistan for over half a century.

He said Pakistan wanted solution of Kashmir issue to restore good neighbourly relations between the two countries, enabling the peoples of both the countries concentrate on socio-economic uplift and welfare.

"There should be a solid ground for a lasting friendship between Pakistan and India, and it cannot be possible until and unless the main irritant in their relationship is removed," Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said.

Information Minister dispelled the impression that the government was not doing enough to seek a just resolution of the Kashmir issue besides denying allegation regarding the so-called sell-out, saying that a change in strategy was a positive sign and could be instrumental in resolving the dispute, adding that flexibility could be only be reciprocal.

Sheikh Rashid said Pakistan Government has made it amply clear that when the Feb 16 dialogue makes a headway, the genuine leadership of Kashmiris would certainly be asked to join in the talks.

"Unless their voice is heard and accommodated, how could there be a solution at all," he said.

Shaikh Rashid said the stated position of Pakistan on Kashmir was clear and it could not be changed.

The federal minister said Pakistan's vital interests were in safe hands and were being adequately guarded, and there was no need to be apprehensive in this regard.

Referring to the prospects of Pakistan-India talks, he said: "If the leadership of both the countries continues to strive for an amicable solution, it could certainly be achieved."

Earlier, Ambassador Ashraf Jehangir Qazi also spoke on the occasion.

Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, executive director of the Kashmiri- American Council, called for ensuring that the genuine representatives of the Kashmiris' on both sides of the LoC were given the opportunity to be involved in the Pakistan-India dialogue, as without their involvement and input there could be no solution and no viable peace and stability.

"It is not merely a question of 13 million Kashmiris but it is a matter of 1.2 billion people of South Asia," he said.

In London, British Kashmiris held a peaceful protest opposite the Indian High Commission here on Thursday urging New Delhi to stop its continuing human rights violations in the Indian occupied Kashmir.

The protest, organized by the All-Parties International Kashmir Co-ordination Committee, UK.

Kashmiris, who gathered outside the Indian mission, chanted slogans like "Out, out, India out", "Implement the UN resolutions" and "stop killing in Kashmir".

A delegation of Kashmiris also presented a memorandum to a staff member of the Indian High Commission, calling upon Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to implement the UN Security Council resolutions.

"The world recognises the right of any people for self- determination, which allows them to conduct their political life to the best of their ability and thus put an end to subjugation, occupation and tyranny, generally associated with loss of freedom," said the memorandum.

It said the denial by India to allow the Kashmiris determine their political future forced them to begin the struggle to end the illegal occupation of their land by Indian forces.

"Mr Prime Minister, British-Kashmiris urge you to put an end to these abuses and let these (human rights) organizations work in the Indian administered Kashmir", it said .

In Abu Dhabi, members of the Pakistani community living in the United Arab Emirates observed the Kashmir Solidarity Day.

In this regard, Pakistani embassy in Abu Dhabi arranged a special ceremony, which was presided over by Qazi Rizwanul Haq Mahmood, charged' affairs.-APP