September 13, 2008	Saturday	Ramazan 12, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Sept 12: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has expressed concern over the recent incidents of violence in occupied Kashmir and condemned excessive use of force by Indian security forces against the people of the valley.

Several Kashmiris, among them prominent APHC leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz, have been gunned down by Indian security forces.

Prime Minister Gilani said at a meeting of the AJK Council held here on Friday that the Kashmiri people had been waging a courageous struggle for six decades for their right of self-determination.

He said the Unites Nations’ resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir were among the first documents which recognised the inalienable right of the people of Kashmir to self-determination but, regrettably, they remained pending on the UN agenda.

He said Pakistan firmly supported the people of Kashmir and sought a solution to the dispute in accordance with their aspirations.

He said the history of occupied Kashmir was fraught with flagrant and unending violations of human rights by Indian forces.

Mr Gilani said several confidence-building measures had been taken to alleviate the sufferings of the Kashmiris and raise their comfort level.

“Frequent meetings of the Pakistani leadership with Kashmiri leaders also reflect our approach for a greater involvement of the Kashmiri leaders with the peace process. We strongly believe that Kashmiris should be an integral component of the ongoing peace process because they are the primary stakeholders,” he said.

“Peace and stability in South Asia can only be guaranteed if all outstanding issues between Pakistan and India, including the Kashmir dispute, are resolved.

“We hope that both the governments will live up to the expectations of their own people as well as of the people of Kashmir so that the dream of lasting peace in South Asia can materialise.”