MUZAFFARABAD, June 18: Speakers at a function on Tuesday called upon the international community to differentiate between terrorism and freedom movement, calling upon the Musharraf government not to take any decision against the interests of Kashmiris and Pakistan.

The function, called Qaumi Kashmir Conference, was organized by the Islami Jamiat Talba, AJK chapter, at a local hotel here. The speakers included the leaders of almost all major political and religious parties of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).

All Parties Hurriyat Conference leader Ghulam Mohammad Safi made it clear in his speech that Kashmiris would not stop their armed struggle “at anybody’s dictation.”

Kashmir, he said, was an issue of self-determination and human rights, as India had extended its repressive tactics from the occupied Kashmir to the five districts of the AJK.

“Kashmiris on both sides of the divide must be asked what should be their future status. As long as the UN resolutions on Kashmir remain unimplemented, neither Azad Kashmir can become a part of Pakistan nor can the occupied Kashmir (become a) part of India,” he said, adding that Kashmiris were struggling for freedom and “only the Muttahida Jihad Council and the APHC have the authority to control this movement and not any general or hawaldar.”

The APHC leader asked President Pervez Musharraf “not to try to forcibly impose decisions, because Kashmir could not be left at the mercy of any individual.”

He said, “Pakistan is dearer to us than our lives. But we do not need any certificate from the rulers. We can go against the policies of the Pakistani rulers, but not against the public.”

Mr Safi demanded that a UN peace force be deployed in Kashmir, and plebiscite be held in its presence.

Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front leader M. S. Afzal said it would be better for Gen Musharraf to consider the wishes of Kashmiris before making any decision about them.

Newly-elected AJK Jamaat-i-Islami Chief Sardar Ejaz Afzal accused Islamabad of taking decisions against the interests of Kashmiris and the Muslim Ummah.

Minister for Finance Shah Ghulam Qadir said no country could keep Kashmiris away from freedom for long.

“Kashmiri leadership should unite to make it clear that there is no sanctity of the LoC for them and that they will not compromise on their cause,” he said, adding that Kashmiris had every right to cross the LoC.

He asked the Western countries to give up silence on Indian terrorism in Kashmir and Israeli terrorism in Palestine.

Azad Kashmir’s PPP Secretary-General Chaudhry Latif Akbar said the foreign policy of Pakistan was based on ad hocism, which had isolated the country.