ISLAMABAD, March 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Thursday that a broader agreement among Pakistan, India and people of Kashmir was a pre-requisite to a long lasting solution of Kashmir problem which could ensure sustainable peace in South Asia.
Talking to All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who called on him at prime minister’s house, the premier said sustainable peace in South Asia could not be achieved without the settlement of Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris.
The Mirwaiz asked the prime minister to raise Kashmir issue during his forthcoming US visit in the context of human rights violations in held Kashmir and said that the APHC supported the position Pakistan had taken on Kashmir issue.
He said the world should take note of ground realities of Kashmir, massive detention of Kashmiris and presence of huge Indian army in Kashmir.
The prime minister said some recent steps, such as the decision of opening the Line of Control at seven points and restoration of intra-Kashmir bus service, had contributed to easing problems of Kashmiris living on both sides of the divide as divided families had reunited after a long time.
He said a better atmosphere had been created following implementation of confidence building measures with India and stage was set for making real progress on the core issue of Kashmir. He said Pakistan would continue to push the process of dialogue for sustainable solution of the Kashmir issue.
Mr Aziz said that the people of Kashmir had made tremendous sacrifices to attain right of self determination and Pakistan would continue to support them through diplomatic and political channels.
In today’s world when world gave lot of importance to rights of individuals and states, he said, it was unjustified that people of Kashmir had been denied right of self determination for more then 58 years.
