MUZAFFARABAD, Jan 10: AJK President Mohammad Anwar Khan and Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan on Thursday welcomed veteran politician Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan’s appointment as National Kashmir Committee chairman and expressed the hope that the committee would play a pivotal role for the dispute’s early and peaceful settlement.

In his statement, the AJK president said formation of a national committee on Kashmir, led by a leader of Sardar Qayyum’s stature was his suggestion and he was thankful to President Gen Pervez Musharraf for materializing it.

The president expressed the hope that Sardar Qayyum would utilize his abilities to project the Kashmir issue in its true perspective.

Prime Minister Sikandar Hayat, in his statement, said the appointment of a Kashmiri to lead the committee was a manifestation of President Musharraf’s commitment to the Kashmir cause.

“I am sure that the Kashmir issue would have a better projection at the national and international fronts due to the experience, foresight, wisdom and strong affiliation with the Kashmir issue of Sardar Qayyum,” he said.

The AJK premier said it was high time the issue of Kashmir be projected in a better way because the West had failed to distinguish between terrorism and freedom movements. “Selection of Sardar Qayyum for the purpose is a right step and we appreciate and welcome it from the core of our hearts,” he said.

The president and the prime minister felicitated Sardar Qayyum and assured him of their full cooperation and support.