MUZAFFARABAD, Oct 28: AJK President Raja Zulqarnain has said resumption of peace talks between Pakistan and India will help resolve outstanding issues between the two countries, besides boosting the bilateral relations.

He was talking to a delegation, led by Jammu Kashmir Human Rights Commission Chairman Humayun Zaman Mirza, which called on him here on Saturday.

The president underscored the need for sincere efforts and purposeful talks to resolve the Kashmir dispute. “Pakistan is sincere in sorting out Kashmir problem,” he added.

He said that India should move forward and give positive response to the proposals floated by Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf.

He called on Kashmiri youth to come forward and strive for resolving the Kashmir issue. “Heavy responsibilities rest with new generation in the prevailing situation,” he added.

Referring to last year’s earthquake, Mr Zulqarnain said that it caused massive devastation. Thousands of school children were killed and educational institutions were razed to the ground. The rehabilitation of quake-affected people was a major challenge, he added.

The way the international donor agencies and people of Pakistan generously contributed in terms of donations and sacrifices to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the quake- ravaged areas was matchless, he said.

BLACK DAY: The AJK Finance Minister, Raja Nisar Ahmed Khan has said that Kashmiris are sacrificing for the completion of Pakistan.

Talking to reporters here on Saturday to mark the Black Day, he said that time was not far when India would be forced to leave Kashmir and Kashmiris would join Pakistan.

He hoped the independence of Kashmir was near and difficulties for India in held valley were increasing every day.—Online