MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 27: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has assured that Pakistan would continue to support the oppressed Kashmiris in their struggle for their legitimate rights.
“No one can deprive the Kashmiris of their rights and I tell them that every Pakistani will support them in their just struggle and they will achieve their rights,” he said at a gathering of earthquake survivors here in Narual Stadium on Eid day.
AJK President Raja Zulqarnain Khan and Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan also attended the gathering.
“We want the Kashmir issue to see a peaceful negotiated settlement, matching the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiris,” Mr Aziz said, making it clear that Islamabad would not accept any settlement that went against the Kashmiris’ wishes.
Referring to the last year’s earthquake which caused a colossal loss of life and property, he said that although it was impossible to bring back people who had lost their lives, but the government was making every effort to compensate the losses.
The government, he said, had so far distributed Rs60 billion among the quake survivors in Azad Kashmir and the NWFP and the government would make available more resources and income generation opportunities to help the survivors resume their normal life and revive the region’s shattered economy.
He said basic infrastructure including new buildings, education and health facilities and roads, telephone and electricity were being rebuilt and revived in the quake-hit areas, adding that they would be better than before.
“But … we will also provide employment opportunities to the people because even if you provide good infrastructure without employment and income, you cannot keep people content,” he said.
He praised AJK president and prime minister and said that they had a commitment to deliver for speedy development of their area.
He also pointed out that AJK had rich potential in hydropower generation, tourism, and minerals and other sectors and this should be explored and exploited and this will help boost developmental activities on the one hand and create more job opportunities on the other.
He urged the private sector to come forward and join the government in its endeavours to exploit these resources.
Recalling that Pakistani nation had demonstrated exemplary solidarity with the Kashmiris, he said: “Whenever the Kashmiris face any hardships, Pakistanis will be by their side to help them out.”
“Pakistan will always meet the requirements of Azad Kashmir because we want this region to be more prosperous and its people better off,” he said.
“It is your right and our duty because Kashmir and Pakistan were one, are one and will remain one,” he remarked.
He called upon the women to pay utmost attention to the education of their children and asked men to reduce dependence on the government.
