Attique hails Pak, India resolve to pursue Kashmir

ISLAMABAD: Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan Prime Minister of AJK has welcomed the joint resolve of both Pakistan and India to pursue the issue of Jammu and Kashmir to find out a peaceful solution to this oldest dispute. “Kashmiris favor a peaceful, negotiated settlement of this dispute, a solution that fulfills their aspirations”, he said in his welcome statement issued here on Friday evening.

On Friday afternoon, at the end of 2-day Islamabad talks between Foreign Secretaries of both countries a joint statement assured “to continue discussions in a purposeful and forward looking manner with the view to finding a peaceful solution by narrowing divergences and building convergences” on Jammu and Kashmir. It was also mutually agreed that the working group on trans-LoC CBMs would meet in coming July to streamline and strengthen the existing trade and travel arrangements, but the venue has not been finalized. Presently a trans-Kashmir barter trade runs haltingly on selected 21 items since October 21, 2008.

The AJK Premier said that with the inclusion of Kashmiris in Kashmir related bilateral talks between Pakistan and India, the process of resolution of Kashmir dispute can be up-speeded as already over half a million Kashmiris have laid down their lives to see a settlement. Kashmiris from both parts of the State support the Kashmir-connected CBMs and want unrestricted trade, travel and tourism across the region. Besides introducing banking facilities to the running barter trade, all traditional routes and roads of Jammu and Kashmir should also be opened, he urged. He urged observance of sanctity of human rights by Indian occupation forces in occupied Kashmir to make the atmosphere more conducive.

Sardar Attique Ahmed also welcomed the assurance of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in his Thursday UN Headquarters press conference that he (SG) would talk on Kashmir to the leaderships of Pakistan and India with a view to facilitate finding a peaceful solution. “All parties, UN, Pakistan, India, Kashmiris and in fact the entire international community is on the same page for a peaceful Kashmir settlement. Once this issue is solved South Asia can be the best mirror for rest of the world in ascending fast the ladders of progress and prosperity”, he hoped.