Taking a hard line on the Jammu and Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Monday said that it was an unfinished agenda of the United Nations Security Council.
Inaugurating a two-day International Conference on “Kashmir in Emerging Global Perspectives” organised by the University of “Azad Jammu and Kashmir” here, Mr. Gilani said the solution to the Kashmir issue should be in accordance with the United Nations resolutions. Terming Kashmir a “chronic dispute,” he said that unless it was resolved, peace couldn't come to South Asia.
Mr. Gilani said the people of Jammu and Kashmir had suffered a lot and gone through mental and physical torture. They had undergone “enormous sacrifices” for the cause. The resolution of the Kashmir issue held the key to the socio-economic development of the region.
He urged the international community to come forward and help the people of Kashmir in getting their “right of self-determination.” “Without addressing this issue, no progress can take place in South Asia.” he said.
On the dialogue process, he said, “We restored it and it should be continued.” The solution could be possible only with the involvement of all stakeholders. Pakistan believed in co-existence with all neighbours as taught by Islam. He stated that wars or a status quo could not be the solution. “We cannot afford another war.” He reiterated Pakistan's diplomatic, political and moral support to people of Jammu and Kashmir in their “fight for right to self-determination.”
Pakistan's Federal Minister for Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan, Mian Manzoor Watoo, Pakistan Administered Kashmir president Raja Zulqarnain Khan and PAK Prime Minister Sardar Attique spoke on the occasion.
Over 50 delegates from India, Pakistan, U.S., the U.K., Turkey and other countries are participating in the two-day conference.
Hard-line Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani addressed the conference through video and reiterated his stand that India should accept Kashmir as a dispute.
