ISLAMABAD, Feb 5: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that there was no threat to country’s security interests. “The government will not take any step that is detrimental to the interests of Pakistan or Ummah,” the prime minister said while speaking at a seminar on ‘Earthquake: Pakistan and Kashmir Solidarity’ held here on Sunday to mark the Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The seminar was organized by the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas and the AJK Council’s Secretariat.
About the proposal of demilitarization and self-rule forwarded by President Gen Pervez Musharraf to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue, Mr Aziz said that no proposal made by Pakistan would affect the basic rights of the Kashmiris.
He said that Nato had no secret agenda to pursue in Pakistan. “Pakistan’s sovereignty is not so fragile that it can be jeopardized by the presence of foreign disaster assistance teams. You do not have to be scared, if you have self-confidence,” he said.
He said that if someone helped Pakistan in relief activities while respecting country’s national values then it should not be a cause of concern. “We have the courage to take up the matter if someone does not remain in the sphere,” he added.
The prime minister said that the world had shrunk into a global village and it was difficult to live in isolation.
He termed the restoration of Lahore-Amritsar bus service and visits of APHC leaders to Pakistan steps toward a settlement of the Kashmir dispute.
Mr Aziz said that the improved relations between India and Pakistan and the congenial international environment provided a unique opportunity to the two countries to find a solution to the Kashmir problem, which should be according to the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
He said it was a propitious moment that should be seized in order to establish lasting peace leading to progress and prosperity of the whole region.
The prime minister said that Pakistan was determined to go ahead with more efforts aimed at bringing greater relief to the people of Kashmir.
Mr Aziz said that attainment of a final settlement required a solution acceptable to all stakeholders including Pakistan, India and Kashmiri people.
