ISLAMABAD, April 3: Elections are no substitute for Kashmiris' right to self-determination, says a leader of the All-Parties Hurriyat Conference in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Dr Ghulam Mohammad Jee said in a televised interview that Kashmiri people wanted a permanent solution of issue to ensure peace in the region.

He said although the joint declaration issued after the meeting between Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee and President Pervez Musharraf committed to seeking a negotiated settlement of all bilateral disputes, including Kashmir, the ground realities in the Indian-occupied Kashmir spoke of an entirely different situation.

He said that there was no let up in atrocities against Kashmiri people, adding that they were divergent from the stated position of India.-APP