MUZAFFARABAD, Aug 25: AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan has urged India to demonistrate sincerity for finding a solution to the longstanding dispute of Kashmir in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiris.

“It’s essential for the Indian leadership to show sincerity for finding an honourable solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiris. It should also give serious consideration to President General Pervez Musharraf’s suggestions of joint control, demilitarisation and self-governance,” said Mr Khan in a speech after taking oath as president at the AJK Legislative Assembly here on Friday.

AJK Supreme Court Chief Justice Khawaja Mohammad Saeed administered the oath to Mr Khan before a large gathering which included acting Prime Minister of AJK Malik Mohammad Nawaz, former prime minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat, Legislative Assembly Speaker Shah Ghulam Qadir, cabinet members, lawmakers and high-ranking civil and military officials. In his speech on the occasion, the 73-year-old president expressed his views on a number of issues including peace process between India and Pakistan, reconstruction of the quake-hit areas and the recent elections in AJK.

“We fully support peace process in the region and hope it will engender a solution to the Kashmir issue that reflects the sentiments of the people of this state,” he said.

He regretted that India had “sabotaged” the peace process on the pretext of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the Mumbai blasts. Since those accusations had been proven as unfounded, Indian leadership should review its decision to stall the peaceful process of talks, he said.

Mr Khan also spoke high of President Musharraf’s Kashmir policy, saying it had opened new avenues for settlement of the longstanding dispute.

“The suggestions of President Musharraf enjoy support of majority in Kashmir and they have provided an opportunity to the Indian leadership to move forward,” he said, expressing the hope that India would rise to the occasion.

He assured the Kashmiris on the other side of the LoC that no stone would be left unturned for bringing freedom to them.

The AJK president said reconstruction of the affected areas and rehabilitation of its residents would be given top priority, he added. Rejecting the allegations of rigging in the July 11 elections, he said the democratic system in AJK had been completed following free, fair and impartial elections wherein people had chosen their representatives on their own free will.