Pakistan Committed to Peace Process with India: PM      
By Shoaib Jabbar 'Pakistan Times' Special Correspondent

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Friday said Pakistan is committed to the peace process with India in a sincere, purposeful and constructive manner for final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of Kashmiris to ensure peace and security in the region.

He was addressing the inaugural session of two day international Kashmir conference on “Jammu and Kashmir Dispute: Models for Resolution” organized by Institute of Strategic Studies and Kashmir Institute of International Relations being attended by delegates from many countries including leaders of All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to resolve the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris said there will be no compromise on the issue and no solution against the aspirations of Kashmiris would be acceptable.

The Prime Minister said, “Durable peace in the region could only be ensured if the Kashmir issue should be resolved peacefully in accordance with the aspirations and wishes of the Kashmiris.”

He said, “Kashmiris and Pakistanis are united and supported each other.” He said people of Kashmir and Pakistan have strong ties and the same blood runs in their veins. He said Pakistan appreciated the sacrifices made by Kashmiris in their just struggle and adding “We will not accept any solution of Kashmir issue which is against the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir.”

He said peace could only be ensured by giving the rights to the Kashmiris and it could also promote peace, progress and prosperity.

Shaukat Aziz said, “Pakistan has entered into a dialogue process with India with a firm commitment and a sincere hope that it would result in a just and lasting solution of this dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.”

The Prime Minister said, “Pakistan is ready to show courage and flexibility if all other stakeholders, reciprocate.”

He said, “We recognize the process will have its ups and downs, there will also be attempts to derail the process as there are different views on all sides.”

The Prime Minister said, “However we must all remain steadfast and committed to our objectives of sustainable peace in South Asia.” He said the ongoing peace process has generated goodwill and raised the level of expectation of the people of all sides.

Shaukat Aziz while referring to commitment of Pakistan to the peace process said, “We must seize the moment and create a bright future for our coming generations” adding that “This provides us with an historic opportunity to transition from conflict management to conflict resolution by settling the six decades old Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”

He said Kashmiris should be involved in the dialogue process adding that Pakistan has involved them in the dialogue process and called upon the Indian leadership to follow suit.

The Prime Minister said President General Pervez Musharraf has shown tremendous courage on the issue of Kashmir and presented proposals with a hope to find lasting solution to the issue.

Referring to the proposals presented by President General Pervez Musharraf, including demilitarization, self-rule and joint management, the Prime Minister urged Indian leadership to respond these proposals positively and show the world that India is interested to resolve the issue through dialogue process.

Extending Pakistan’s moral and political support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their just struggle, the Prime Minister said, Pakistan has always emphasised the necessity of meaningful, constructive and substance dialogue to resolve their Kashmir dispute.

He said the solution of the Kashmir issue would promote progress and prosperity in the region as both the countries, Pakistan and India would be able to utilise their resources for the welfare of the people.

Prime Minister Aziz expressed the hope efforts from both sides, Pakistan and India, would be continued to find acceptable solution to the Kashmir issue.

He said, “Kashmir dispute has cast a long and dark shadow over South Asia for nearly 60 years, and it is the core issue between Pakistan and India and its just resolution can change the destiny of over a billion people in our region.”

The Prime Minister said that for the last six decades the people of Kashmir have been denied their inalienable right of self-determination as recognized by the international community in several UN Security Council resolutions.

He said these resolutions called for the settlement of the issue through the democratic method of a free and fair plebiscite, conducted under the United Nations.

Shaukat Aziz said the Kashmiris have shown exemplary steadfastness and an indomitable spirit in their just struggle to achieve their right of self-determination, and in the course of the struggle they have been subjected to unimaginable suffering and repression.

Earlier, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Maj. (Retd) Tahir Iqbal speaking on the occasion said right of self-determination is the right of the people of Kashmir ensured to them by Security Council of the United Nations.

He said Pakistan would continue its moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiris in their just and indigenous struggle.

The Minister said without solution of Kashmir issue, peace and security in the region could not be ensured.

He said Pakistan has presented various proposals to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir issue. He said Pakistan has taken a number of steps to ensure peace in the region including unilateral cease-fire across Line of Control, start of bus service and opening of five points across LoC.

Chairman Institute of Strategic Studies Inam ul Haq, Director General ISS Dr. Sherin Mazari and Shah Ghulam Qadir President Kashmir Institute of International Relations also spoke on this occasion.●