KARACHI, April 1: Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Amanullah Khan on Saturday maintained that the only equitable and honourable solution to the Kashmir issue was to withdraw foreign forces; reunite the divided territory; and make the territory a fully independent state with a democratic federal and secular system of government enjoying friendly relations with both India and Pakistan.

Addressing a news conference at the Karachi Press Club, Mr Khan proposed that 15 years after establishing such a set up, there should be a referendum under the supervision of the United Nations to enable Kashmiri people to determine whether the state should perpetuate its independence, or become part of India or Pakistan, or look for any other option.

He said that the verdict of the Kashmiri people should be accepted as final settlement of Kashmir issue by all the parties concerned for implementation.

Mr Khan was disapprove of the direction and speed of the efforts made by the government of Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue. He said that the basic need was not the inclusion of Kashmiris in the talks, but that the final settlement should be based on the freely expressed will of the people of the entire Jammu Kashmir state.

The JKLF chief further said that the solution suggested by President Pervez Musharraf from time to time was either ambiguous or contradictory or bound to pushing Kashmir into eternal slavery. He observed that the Pakistan government had taken a ‘U-turn’ more than 15 times since the creation of Pakistan with the latest one taken by the present regime.

Elaborating his proposal, the Kashmiri leader said all efforts by the Pakistan government were directed towards a permanent division of Kashmir one way or the other and not towards according Kashmiris their inherent and pledged right to determine their future as was evident from the India-Pakistan agreements.

Mr Khan said that most of the political leaders on both sides of the Line of Control were puppets playing in the hands of India or Pakistan, hence the two countries could agree on any settlement that might not be of Kashmiris’ benefit.

As such, it was dangerous and too risky to let Kashmir leaders decided on behalf of Kashmir people, he said.