Gilani links resolution of Kashmir issue with regional peace
MUZAFFARABAD, May 23 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said regional peace can not be guaranteed until the resolution of the Kashmir issue. Unless this core issue (Kashmir issue) is resolved, the dream of peace and armony in the region can not come true,” the Prime Minister said after inaugurating the two-day national conference on Kashmir, organized by Azad Kashmir University here.
Gilani urged the world’s peace loving nations to come forward in resolving the Kashmir issue that has jeopardized the peace efforts in the region.
He pointed the need for acknowledging the Kashmiris’ rights to self determination in accordance with the UN resolutions. He said the Kashmiris were being subjected to mental and physical torture  and said no significant development could take place in South Asia unless the resolution of this core issue.
Gilani favoured for continuing the dialogue between Pakistan and India for the resolution of Kashmir issue.
President AJK Raja Zulqarnain, AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Wattoo and Vice Chancellor AJK Dr. Habib - ur-Rehman were present.
The Prime Minister said the solution of Kashmir issue lied in realizing the fact that it had very badly affected the overall socio-economic development of both India and Pakistan besides adding miseries in the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
He said the people of the sub-continent had suffered a lot, particularly the people of Jammu and Kashmir as they had been deprived of their basic human rights including internationally promised inalienable, unfettered and unconditional right to self-determination.
He sid Kashmiris around the world are clamoring for justice and sacrificing their lives for their legitimate and basic right of self-determination promised to them by the international community through UN resolutions.
He said it is now widely recognized that Kashmir holds the key to restoring the peace and socio-economic development in the region.
“Unless this chronic issue is fairly resolved, the dream of attaining regional harmony, security and peace cannot come true. It is,therefore, essential that a solution to more than six decades old problem is sought immediately,” he said.
He said, “Pakistan will continue its principled, political and diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir for their inalienable right of self- determination as per resolutions of the United Nation.”
He said, “We aspire long lasting security and peace in the region, good relations with all neighbouring countries including India. It needs not to mention that we Muslims being followers of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) believe in coexistence and good relations with our neighbours which is a part of our religious faith.”
Gilani hoped that the outcome of this conference would be significant and would greatly contribute towards understanding of the issue and offer some viable proposals that can go a long way in seeking judicious resolution of this long- standing issue.
He said Pakistan is a peace-loving country and wants to have friendly relationships with its neighbours.
“We recognize that without finding an amicable solution of the core issue of Kashmir, lasting peace and prosperity in the region is absolutely inconceivable. Yet we want a solution which is acceptable to all the stakeholders because a solution imposed against the will of any party will not be durable,” he said.
Gilani announced for holding for free and fair elections whether in Pakistan or in Azad Kashmir. He said transparent elections and vote casting were the right of everyone.
AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmad Khan said Pakistan had showed commitment for amicable settlement of the Kashmir dispute and for the welfare of Kashmiri people. He mentioned that Prime Minister Gilani raised the issue of Kashmir at international fora including Sharm el Sheikh, Thimpu, Mohali and in Beijing.
AJK President Raja Zulqarnanin stressed for the settlement of Kashmir issue as he termed it the major reason for poverty, unemployment and backwardness in the sub-continent.
He said the Kashmir dispute was not the matter of land, but was a matter of human right and self determination.
A video message of All Parties Hurriyat Conference Chairman Syed Ali Geelani was shown on the occasion which focused on need for durable peace in Kashmir as India had expansionist designs.
Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Wattoo called for the implementation of the resolutions of UNSC. He said Pakistan and India could not afford another war.