Engagement with Hurriyat positive
development: Pak
Mirwaiz Satisfied Over 'Fruitful'
Discussions In Islamabad
NISAR AHMAD
THOKAR
Islamabad, Dec
17: Terming latest engagement with All Parties
Hurriyat Conference a positive development, Pakistan Monday said it wants to
seek the resolution of the Kashmir issue on the basis of UN resolutions and
aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
Islamabad's
engagement with the Hurriyat Conference is a “positive development and a
recognition of the just cause of the people of Kashmir,” Pakistan Prime
Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his
office after his meeting with the seven-member Hurriyat Conference delegation
led by Hurriyat (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
The
country seeks to “resolve the Kashmir issue on the basis of United Nations
resolutions and aspiration of the Kashmiri people,” he said. Ashraf told the
Hurriyat leaders that there was “consensus in Pakistan among all political
parties on the resolution of Kashmir issue”.In this connection, he referred to
the appointment of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman as the
chairman of parliament's Kashmir Committee.
He further said
Pakistan “takes pride” in the struggle waged by the Kashmiris for “their right
of self determination”. He praised the “political acumen and wisdom of the
Hurriyat leadership” in its efforts to highlight the case of the Kashmiris and
assured them that "Pakistan fully stands behind them".
Foreign
Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira were
present during the meeting. Welcoming the visiting delegates the Pak PM
appreciated the ongoing consultation process between Pakistani and Kashmiri leadership
and said; “We want
Kashmiris to be part of the dialogue process”. The Pak PM endorsed the
role of Hurriyat Conference (M) leaders and the amalgam’s stance on the issue
of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that Pakistan believes that Kashmiris’ inclusion
in the ongoing dialogue process between India and Pakistan was must to bring
about a peaceful solution of Kashmir issue.
Later
talking to Greater Kashmir, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq who heads the seven member
Hurriyat delegation expressed satisfaction over the meeting and said that
fruitful and detailed discussions were held at the meeting with Pak PM where
Kashmiri leaders apprised him of the prevailing political situation in Kashmir
and stressed the need for inclusion of Kashmiris in the talks process with a view
to find a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue. Mirwaiz also expressed sincere
gratitude to the government of Pakistan for its all out support to Kashmir
cause and extending invitation to APHC leaders to visit the country. “Despite
facing many challenges Pakistan had always extended its unflinching support to
the cause of Kashmiri people”, he maintained.
He
said that the PM assured the visiting delegation of his country’s all out
support to Kashmiris’ cause. Highlighting the sacrifices of Kashmiri people
Mirwaiz said that the international community recognized Kashmir as a dispute
that needs to be settled through tripartite talks. The Hurriyat delegation also
met the Awami National Party (ANP) chief Asfandyar Wali Khan the grandson of
Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. During the meeting, Khan told the visiting delegates
that his party would continue its support to Kashmiris’ political, democratic
and non-violent movement. He was of the view that the people of Khyber Pakhtoon
Khawa and the people of Kashmir have enjoyed great and cordial relations over
the years.
TARIQ NAQASH
ADDS FROM MUZAFFARABAD:
The Hurriyat
delegation that was on a day long visit to Muzaffarabad on Sunday was flown
back to Islamabad via chopper early this morning. Before leaving Muzaffarabad,
Hurriyat delegates visited Mausoleum of veteran Kashmiri leaders Mirwaiz Moulvi
Muhammad Yousuf Shah and KH Khursheed and offered Fateah at their grave yards.
Earlier,
on Sunday night, PaK premier hosted a reception in the honor of the delegation
at his residence which was attended by PaK President Sardar Muhammad Yaqoob
Khan, Legislative Assembly speaker Sardar Ghulam Sadiq, former PaK premier
Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan and leaders of some religious parties, besides a
large number of government officials and civil society representatives.
However,
leader of the opposition in PaK Assembly and PML-N PaK chapter president Raja
Farooq Haider, Jamaat-e-Islami PaK Amir Abdur Rashid Turabi and some other
leaders were conspicuous by their absence. Raja Farooq Haider castigated the
PaK government for its failure to take the local leadership on board vis-à-vis
discussions with the APHC leadership. “It
was a dinner for the sake of dinner which was why we avoided attending it. We
will be holding a separate meeting with them in Islamabad to talk something
concrete,” he told Greater Kashmir.
In his speech at
the PM’s reception, the Mirwaiz, while reiterating most of the points from his
address earlier in the day, briefly alluded to the sensitive issue of
‘difference of opinion’ among the pro-freedom forces. “You will observe
difference of opinion in every society, class and movement. It is quite a
natural thing. But as far the goal, aims and objectives are concerned, there is
no difference,” he said. He said the APHC visit was an initiative and “if the
Kashmiris will not take initiatives by themselves, no else will do it for
them.” Stressing upon the Indian and Pakistani leadership to ensure
participation of Kashmiris in peace process, he said: “Unless it’s done, no
solution can be found.”
He
said there was no second opinion to the fact that the UN resolutions laid the
basis for resolution of Kashmir issue. However, he added, the APHC constitution
had provided option for an alternative negotiated settlement. “Kashmir is a political issue and needs a
political solution. There is no ambiguity among the Kashmiri leadership in this
regard,” he said. Stating that the Kashmiris did not have enmity with the
state or people of India but they differed with its policies, he asked the Indian
leadership to show political vision and avoid ostrich like attitude will not
work
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