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| September 30, 2005 | Friday | Sha'aban 25, 1426 |
Continuation of peace process urged
ISLAMABAD, Sept 29: Former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum has said that despite reservations from both sides, peace process between Pakistan and India should be continued.
He was addressing a press conference on his return from India where he participated in ‘Intra-Jammu and Kashmir Heart to Heart Talk’.
He said the first-ever direct talks between Kashmiri leadership from both sides of the divide were held in a cordial atmosphere, with a consensus on continuation of the peace process, more confidence building measures, trade and trans-Kashmir bus services and free movement of Kashmiris across the Line of Control.
Mr Qayyum said during his meetings with the Indian leadership and policy makers, he told them that the dialogue process between the two countries should be accelerated.
The participants of the talks expressed satisfaction over the historic meeting and looking forward to subsequent meetings with the hope to help the peace process reach its logical end, he said.
“They agreed to strive for rehabilitation of the displaced people back to their houses and urged all concerned to avoid violence as it is detrimental to peace and stability in the region,” he added.
The participants, he said, urged both the governments to consider reducing the level of deployment of armed forces on both sides.
Answering a question about an independent Kashmir, Mr Qayyum said the ideology of an independent state of Kashmir was against the UN resolution.
Answering another question on accession of Kashmir to Pakistan, Sardar Qayyum said, “the movement for Kashmir’s accession to Pakistan will continue as the Muslims of Kashmir are with Pakistan.”
Answering yet another question about a timeframe for resolving the issue, he said all the parties wanted a timeframe for the resolution of the issue.
The AJK leader said besides the Indian leadership, he had also met the Indian policymakers, including Ram Desh Malani, Nirmala Desh Pandei, S. K. Saksena and Jagmohan. —-APP
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