MUZAFFARABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed its complete support for the struggle of the people of Kashmir on Thursday with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif stressing the need for a peaceful settlement of the long festering Kashmir dispute, making it clear that any decision incompatible with the wishes of Kashmiri people would not be accepted.

Addressing a joint session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assem­bly and the AJK Council

to mark the ‘Kashmir Solidarity Day’, he reiterated Pakistan’s political, moral and diplomatic support for the Kashmiris struggling for their right to self-determination and against unrelenting repression by Indian troops.

He said a durable peace in the region would be impossible to achieve without resolving the Kashmir issue, adding that the international community had realised the importance of Pakistan’s stand. “The future of 1.8 billion people [of the region] hinges on the peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue.”

Prime minister says regional peace depends on settlement of Kashmir dispute

The prime minister maintained that while supporting the legitimate right of Kashmiri people, Pakistan had always stressed the need for meaningful and result-oriented talks. But India always adopted dilly-dallying tactics.

The legislators warmly cheered him when he declared that any agenda for talks with India would be incomplete if it did not include the Kashmir issue.

Mr Sharif paid rich tributes to thousands of Kashmiri martyrs and the people of occupied Kashmir for their unflinching determination in the face of ruthless repression by over 700,000 Indian forces.

“More than six decades have elapsed, but our brethren are continuing their struggle with unmatched perseverance in spite of subjection. Their path is difficult, but there is no abatement in their resolve.

“In this journey towards freedom, the people of Pakistan stand by their Kashmiri brethren… This is our duty as well as the right of Kashmiri people (on us)… Allah willing, they will soon achieve freedom,” he said.

The prime minister said his government had been highlighting the Kashmir issue at all international forums. In this regard, he referred to his speech at the UN General Assembly and during a meeting with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

“I told the secretary general that the resolutions on Kashmir were passed by the UN and not by Pakistan and (therefore) their non-implementation should be a matter of concern for him.

“In response to this argument, they have nothing to say and they keep quiet… I think, this silence is inappropriate and we have to wake them up (to do something).”

A similar request, he said, had also been made to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.

Mr Sharif said he was deeply attached to Kashmir and the Kashmiris and so were other Pakistanis.

He said Kashmir and Pakistan were one entity in all respects and no power on earth could separate them.

“We will maintain this relationship. Kashmir is our jugular vein. It’s an issue of the whole Pakistani nation.”

Stressing the need for harmony in the country, he said he was ready to help everyone, regardless of party affiliations.

“We will strengthen these traditions as eventually they will strengthen the country and its institutions.”

About the war on terrorism, the prime minister said the Zarb-i-Azb operation had been launched with consensus among all parties. “Together, we will eliminate terrorism from Pakistan. There is no room in Pakistan for anyone linked to terrorists.

“This is our country. Our future generations have to live here. It’s our responsibility to make it peaceful.”

On AJK’s development, Mr Sharif said he wanted to see the same pace of progress in Azad Kashmir as in Pakistan.

He predicted that the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor would be of immense benefit to the AJK.

He announced that he would undertake another visit to Muzaffarabad early next month along with the ministers concerned to discuss projects for the people of AJK.

LA Speaker Sardar Ghulam Sadiq, AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed, Leader of the Opposition Raja Farooq Haider and Muslim Conference President Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan also spoke on the occasion.

APP adds: The Kashmir Solidarity Day was observed throughout Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan and by Kashmiris and Pakistanis in various world capitals.

Processions were taken out across Pakistan and in various cities of the world by people from both sides of Kashmir, non-governmental organisations and human rights activists.

A number of seminars, conferences and demonstrations were also held where solidarity was expressed with the Kashmiris.

A major event was organised at Kohala where thousands of people from all parts of Pakistan built a human chain to express support for the people of Kashmir. The event was held at Kohala Bridge that connects Pakistan with AJK.

The participants raised slogans asking India to quit Jammu and Kashmir and said that the right of self-determination of the people of the territory was the key to peace in the region.

Published in Dawn, February 6th, 2015

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