MUZAFFARABAD, April 23: Muslim League (Nawaz) leader and MNA Khwaja Saad Rafiq has said that the right to self-determination for the Kashmiri people is the aim of Pakistani nation, but it is also a fact that a democratically strong Pakistan can fight the Kashmiris’ case in an effective manner.

“Liberation of Kashmir is the objective of the people of Pakistan and no politician or general can deviate from it,” he said at a reception hosted in his honour by People’s Party Azad Kashmir leader and MLA Sahibzada Ishaq Zafar at a local hotel on Wednesday.

The MNA, who was on a personal tour to the AJK capital, said: “When we talk of Kashmir we first need to guarantee the rights of the 140 million Pakistanis.”

“The constitutional battle we are fighting is because we want to send a message across the world that democracy is free in Pakistan. We believe that a free democracy can more effectively plead your case and ensure the early liberation of the held territory,” he said.

Mr Rafiq said that he saluted the courage, valour and sacrifices of the fighting army of Pakistan, which was defending the people from the bunkers along the Line of Control.

“But there are some people who are bringing disrespect to this uniform, which we, the elected representatives of Pakistan, will not allow. We will not sit at ease unless removing the uniform from such people,” he said, in an apparent reference to President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

The PML-N leader said that the wearing of uniform was the right of the soldiers who were performing the job of country’s defence irrespective of political or personal affiliations.