KARACHI: Involvement of Kashmiris in dialogue stressed
By Our Reporter
KARACHI, April 26: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan has said that no solution of Kashmir issue would be acceptable if Kashmiri people were not involved in it. Addressing a news conference at Qasre Naz on Tuesday, the AJK prime minister appreciated the ongoing peace moves between India and Pakistan and said the UN resolutions were the basis of Kashmiris’ position and they were waiting for world community’s commitment on right of self-determination to be honoured.
He said that it was high time that Kashmiris from both sides of the LoC were provided the opportunity to sit together and discuss the issues concerning them.
He said that any attempt to impose a solution on Kashmiri people, which was not acceptable to them, would defeat the objective of a durable and lasting peace.
“There are fears among Kashmiri people that somewhere between confidence building measures and Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service their sacrifices are being compromised on,” he said and expressed hope that President Musharraf would stick to his commitment of peacefully resolving the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmir people.
He said, “People have suffered a lot in the held Kashmir due to the brutalities of Indian army over the last 14 years. There is no government in the held Kashmir and Indian army is managing its affairs,” Mr Hayat added.
The AJK prime minister emphasized that UN Security Council resolutions were still valid for resolving Kashmir issue through right of self-determination by Kashmiri people.
Tracing the history of Kashmiri struggle for independence from Dogra rule, he referred to immense sacrifices made by the people of Kashmiri. He told a questioner that President Musharraf had discussed his proposals with the Kashmiri leaders on this side of the LoC for achieving peaceful resolution of the dispute through mutual flexibility. He did not elaborate on how the Kashmiri people looked at Musharraf’s seven zones and Chenab Formula.
Sikandar Hayat said that UN observers mission was asked several times to ensure release of Kashmiris held in Indian prison. When a journalist asked him to comment on Hizbul Mujahideen commander’s remarks on the recent peace offensive, Sikandar Hayat said their views could not be ignored because they made tremendous sacrifices.
