Kashmiris' aspirations won't be ignored: PM - Composite dialogue
KARACHI, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Saturday that Pakistan would take no decision on the Kashmir issue which was contrary to aspirations and wishes of the people of Kashmir. He was briefing the Sindh Cabinet at a meeting held at the Chief Minister's House here on Saturday.
The prime minister said that President Pervez Musharraf had given some ideas on Kashmir for media discussion and articles and editorials had started appearing on the subject but no decision contrary to aspirations and wishes of the people of Kashmir, would be taken.
The prime minister said that composite dialogue with India was progressing at official level and his visit to India, which was likely next month, would give a boost to the pace of the composite dialogue.
He said during his visit to India he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the meeting would further help increase the pace of talks.
Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim were also present on the occasion.
Regarding Pakistan's relations with China, the prime minister described them as highly cordial and said China was Islamabad's tested friend. He said he would visit China in December or January.
Regarding Afghanistan, he said elections there had been held in a peaceful manner and "it is our desire that peace and stability should prevail there because a stable and peaceful Afghanistan will be in the interest of Pakistan and the world."
He pointed out that Pakistan's exports to Afghanistan this year stood at one billion dollars and these were gradually rising.
He described Pakistan's relations with Iran as very good and said he would visit Iran in the first quarter of 2005. "We are positioning Pakistan to serve as an anchor of stability in the region," the premier said.--APP
