Pakistan for substantive dialogue with India on Kashmir: Gilani
By Fatima Raza 'Pakistan Times' Kashmir Bureau Chief

MUZAFFARABAD (AJK): Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani Wednesday said Pakistan desired result-oriented talks with India for the resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute.

Addressing the joint sitting of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and AJK Council, the Prime Minister paid rich tributes to Kashmiris for their struggle for right to self determination.

“The sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go waste, he vowed and said their struggle was not against anyone, but only to seek materialization of the pledge made to them by the United Nations.

Gilani, who was on his first visit to Azad Kashmir, since assuming charge of office said Pakistan always stood for peace as it was the guarantee of stability in the region and the world at large.

Prime Minister Gilani recalling his policy address to the National Assembly said Pakistan will take forward the peace process with India to bring stability to the region and would work on the resolution of Kashmir issue.

“We want friendly relations with all countries, including India,” he added.
He said talks were the only option to address conflicts and termed it a positive trend.

He said the ceasefire along the line of control in Dec 2003 was still effective, the bus service still plying and entry points along the border opened.

He said it was part of Pakistan Peoples Party and its coalition’s agenda that the unemployed youth are provided jobs. He said the program “Green and Skilled Kashmir” will be reviewed and all possible measures will be taken to make it operational.

Gilani demanded an end to the brutalities in Occupied Kashmir and human rights violations must end. He said Pakistan desires result-oriented dialogue with India to seek a permanent resolution of the dispute.

He said it was Pakistan Peoples Party that took the issue to international fora and initiated dialogue with India.

“We understand the problems of the Kashmiris, he said and added it was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who vowed to wage a 1000 years war for liberation of Kashmir.

Prime Minister Gilani said the government was fully aware of the devastation caused by the earthquake and desired an early rehabilitation.

He said in a recent meeting of ERRA, the reconstruction was reviewed and decided that it would hold its meeting monthly against the quarterly ones.

Gilani said he will personally inspect various development schemes. He said early rehabilitation of Mangla dam raising project and all efforts will be made in this regard.

He said he will soon visit the site to see the problems faced by the masses. He said water reservoirs were vital for the country’s survival.

He directed the AJK authorities that issues pertaining to Mangla Dam raising project be resolved at the earliest.

Prime Minister Gilani said he desired a comprehensive policy for the people of Azad Kashmir and Northern Areas to ensure proper development and provision of basic necessities.

He said abundant water resources available in Kashmir could be used for generating electricity not only for local needs, but also for the adjoining areas.

He said the federal government will look into the matter and prepare a feasibility in this regard.

Prime Minister Gilani said grants for development will be allocated to 42 constituencies of Azad Kashmir.

He said members of AJK legislative assembly will also be made part of parliamentary delegations of National Assembly and Senate. He said Rs 5 million development funds will be provided to each member of the AJK Legislative assembly.

Gilani said the government will also consider raising the limit of 50 MW hydle generation to 100 MW, funds migrants of Azad Kashmir for 14 under construction colonies in Pakistan will be provided by Kashmir Council.

He said feasibilities; for setting up of Medical College and women university, increase of Rs 500 per head allowance for refugees from held Kashmir, and trade and tourism for economic betterment of the two parts of Kashmir, will be taken up.

The House also offered fateha for the thousands that were killed in the country’s worst earthquake that struck on Oct 8, 2005.

AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique said the challenges confronting Pakistan required all political forces to rise above petty differences and stand united.
He said it was time to forget differences of the past and do away with the trend of blaming others for wrong doings.

He said in 70s, it was Zulfikar Ali Bhutto who vowed to fight for the independence of Kashmir from India. He said Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto and her father rendered supreme sacrifices of their lives for the country.

He said it was important that Kashmiris are included in dialogue process with India so that the process culminates in success.

He said the democratic system in Azad Jammu and Kashmir had continued to move unhindered since 1985 and said the world the acknowledged the holding of free, fair and transparent election in Pakistan.

He said the people of Kashmir were proud to have full support of Pakistan since 1947 and particularly pointed at the role played by the people of Pakistan, the armed forces and the international community in the aftermath of the Oct 8 earthquake.

Sardar Attique said it was the success of the government and personal rapport of President Pervez Musharraf that US 6.2 billion dollars were pledged for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the devastated areas.

He appreciated the approval by Prime Minister Gilani for Muzaffarabad City Development Program, rehabilitation centre and other projects.He said the loans and the interest accumulated on it needs to be waived to help them rehabilitate their devastated business, particularly that of small traders.

Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir said visit of Prime Minister gilani was reflective of his government’s commitment towards the Kashmir cause.

He said any resolution not reflective of the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people will not be viable. He also lauded the strong support by Pakistan to the Kashmir cause.

The joint sitting paid rich tributes to late Ms Benazir Bhutto who desired a strong democratic system in the country.

The members lauded the stance adopted by late Zulfikar Ali Bhutto over the Kashmir issue at all international fora.

“The Kashmiri people vividly remember the efforts of the two great leaders of Pakistan and acknowledges their sacrifices,”

The speakers said Pakistan Peoples Party had always rendered supreme sacrifices for the sovereignty and ideology of the country and will continue to do so.

Earlier Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani was received at the helipad by President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain Khan and Prime Minister AJK Sardar Attique Ahmed. A contingent of AJK police presented him salute.●