06 February 2005	Sunday	26 Zilhaj 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday said that Kashmir was a core issue between India and Pakistan and added that normalization of relations between the two countries depended on its amicable resolution.

Inaugurating the Kashmir Yakjehti Mela held at Lok Virsa in connection with the Solidarity Day, the prime minister said Kashmir remained a core issue between India and Pakistan and added that until its resolution no progress could be made on other bilateral matters.

He said the government would continue extending its moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiris in their struggle for their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations resolutions.

"We support resolution of the Kashmir issue according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people and the UN resolutions."

He paid tributes to the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir who had been braving the suppression of the Indian forces. He promised that the government of Pakistan would leave no stone unturned to find a negotiated settlement of the issue.

Referring to his recent visit to Brussels, Mr Aziz said: "I spoke to the Kashmir committee of the European Union and assured them full support of the government of Pakistan".