MUZAFFARABAD, July 13: AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat on Tuesday welcomed the likely reunification of different factions of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference
and stresses the need for unity and harmony in the ranks of the Kashmiris for achieving the goal of their struggle.
"The Hurriyat factions are reunifying and it is in fact a welcoming development. It had always been our heart-felt desire to see them united. If we have to reap the harvest of our unparalleled struggle and sacrifices we ought to maintain complete unity, harmony and solidarity in our ranks," he said at a function held here under the aegis of the Kashmir Liberation Cell to mark the Kashmir Martyrs Day.
India, he said, had forcibly occupied Kashmir in blatant disregard of the aspirations of its people but the time was not far off when it would have to quit the territory.
"Let it also be clear that we will not compromise our internationally acknowledged right to self determination, come what may," the prime minister said. He said he would shortly announce a comprehensive programme to promote unity and solidarity in Azad Kashmir.
"Whoever would give a positive response to our programme would be welcomed warmly." On India-Pakistan talks, he said, the Kashmiris wished their success from the core of their hearts, "but both sides should keep in mind that without the involvement of the Kashmiris the process could hardly deliver."
He was hopeful that President Pervez Musharraf would honour his commitments to the Kashmiris that Pakistan would not accept any decision (on Kashmir) without seeking their opinion.
Paying homage to the July 13 martyrs the he said they had laid the foundation of the ongoing movement with their blood. Muslim Conference President Sardar Attique Ahmed regretted that there was no let-up in India's 'killing spree' in held Kashmir, despite talks with Pakistan.
