December 18, 2006	Monday	Ziqa'ad 26, 1427

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ISLAMABAD, Dec 17: An Overseas Pakistanis’ Investment Conference will be held here early next year to encourage and facilitate their effective participation in the country's economic development, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said.

Talking to Lord Nazir Ahmad, member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords, who called on him at the PM's House here on Sunday, he said that the decision had been taken in view of favourable investment climate in the country and the keen interest shown by Pakistanis living in different parts of the world.

He emphasised that the ongoing process of composite dialogue with India needed to move from dispute management to dispute resolution and said Pakistan had made several proposals to move the process forward.

He said Pakistan would continue to steadfastly uphold the Kashmir cause until a just and fair settlement of the dispute was found in keeping with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan would always support the just struggle of the Kashmiri people, he said.

The prime minister said the Kashmiri community living in the UK was an asset and it had always played a leading role in highlighting the Kashmir issue at the international level. He praised the community’s support in the wake of the October 2005 earthquake.

He said reconstruction in the affected areas was going on in full swing and new schools, hospitals and homes were being built so that the life of affected people could return to normal.

Lord Nazir Ahmad praised the government’s efforts in providing early relief and taking steps for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the affected areas.

He said the recent report on Kashmir drafted by Emma Nicholsan, who had been appointed by the Foreign Relations Committee of the European Parliament, did not truly reflect the sufferings of the Kashmiri people.