ISLAMABAD, July 16: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to finding a just and early settlement of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He was talking to AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan at the Kashmir House, where he had gone to express condolence with the latter on the death of his wife.

The statement by Mr Aziz when India is pressing Pakistan to do more to stop what it calls cross-border infiltration and is threatening to put on hold the ongoing composite dialogue process meant to seek a just solution of the dispute.

The prime minister observed that the recently concluded AJK elections would go a long way in strengthening democratic institutions in Azad Kashmir. Prime Minister Aziz expressed the hope that the success of the Muslim Conference would augur well for the cause of the people of Kashmir.

The opposition parties, both from the AJK and Pakistan, blame the central government for manipulating the elections in favour of the MC. Mr Aziz’z meting with Sardar Sikandar at this time is significant because the latter is seeking election as next president of the AJK in place of Maj-Gen (rtd) Sardar Anwar Khan after nomination of Sardar Atiq Ahmed Khan as the next PM of the AJK.

The Muslim Conference, after winning a comfortable majority in the 41-member AJK legislature, had announced to bring a civilian as president of the state.

Prime Minister Aziz appreciated performance of the outgoing AJK government and said that the tenure of Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan would be remembered for unprecedented developments, i.e., opening of crossing points at various places along the Line of Control and commencement of the raising of the Mangla Dam level.

He also appreciated the commitment and contribution of the outgoing AJK PM during an emergency situation in the aftermath of the earthquake.

The prime minister of Azad Kashmir said that the main source of strength of the Muslim Conference candidates during the elections was the massive development undertaken in the AJK with the assistance of the government of Pakistan.