The Pakistan Premier, Yousuf Raza Gilani, has insisted that the Kashmir issue is the “cornerstone” of the country’s foreign policy.
“Kashmir is the issue of the whole country and our total moral support is with the Kashmiri brothers,” Mr. Gilani told the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament.
The government fully supported the Kashmiri people, he said, adding that the Kashmir issue is the cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy.
Mr. Gilani was responding to a point of order raised on Thursday by the chairman of the Special Committee on Kashmir, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief, Fazlur Rehman. He directed the National Assembly’s Deputy Speaker, Faisal Karim Kundi, to look into Mr. Rehman’s reservations.
He also said he would direct Government officials and the Foreign Minister, Shah Mahmood Qureshi, to be available for briefings for parliament’s special committee on Kashmir.
Earlier, Mr. Rehman claimed that the Indian government had adopted an “aggressive policy” by declaring the “Kashmiri freedom struggle” a “terrorist movement“.
“We will have to demonstrate an aggressive policy with India on Kashmir,” Mr. Rehman said.
