Karachi, Feb 2: Leaders of various political parties on Wednesday expressed solidarity with Kashmiri people, supported their struggle for independence and said they have right to get independence from Indian occupation according to United Nations resolutions.

Speaking at All Parties Kashmir Solidarity Conference organized by Jamat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi at Idara Noor-e-Haq, they termed government's Kashmir policy as controversial and demanded reshaping it in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Pakistan and Kashmir.

Expressing their concern over decisions being taken by the government being headed by a military general, political leaders said only a democratic elected government could resolve Kashmir and other national issues.

Naib Amir JI Pakistan, Senator Professor Ghafoor Ahmed, said Kashmir was not only a core issue for Pakistan and India but also an international issue and the peace could not be restored in South Asia until resolution of this sensitive issue.

He said India was killing Kashmiri people with its more than 700,000 regular and irregular army and more than 90,000 Kashmiri youth had been martyred in last 57 years. "India is not ready to resolve this issue but only wants to gain time through negotiation and other tactics to disappoint the Kashmiri people. On other hand, Kashmiri people are being killed regularly through state-terrorism" he added.

Prof. Ghafoor maintained rulers had no right to withdraw from United Nation's resolutions on Kashmir issue. He asked all political parties of the country to unite on this issue and continue their support for Kashmiri freedom fighters.

Prof. N.D. Khan, leader of Pakistan Peoples Party said settlement of Kashmir issue was part of American New World Order. Present government wanted to fulfil American interests on the cost on Kashmir because the US needs this region to monitor China.

Veteran politician Meraj Muhammad Khan said UN should not ignore this issue, saying people of entire South Asian region wanted to resolve this issue for lasting peace through negotiations.

He rejected President General Pervez Musharraf's formula on Kashmir and said this will further divide Kashmiris. Allama Hasan Turabi said unfortunately all the decisions were being taken on directives from Washington and freedom fighters were being labelled as terrorists.

He maintained that Pakistani people would not accept any bargaining on Kashmir issue and demanded government to take decisions in this connection in consultations with Kashmiri and Pakistani people.

Dr Merjul Huda Siddiqui Amir JI Karachi said Kashmir issue surfaced due to incomplete division of united India and the people of Kashmir were awaiting for independence since 1947. Hafiz Muhammad Taqi, Amin Khatak, Abdul Sattar Afghani, Nusrat Mirza, Amanullah Khan, Sikandar Mughal, and Shamsheer Ahmed also spoke. -PPI