Peace impossible sans Kashmir solution, says Rashid

Says Kashmiris right to self-determination was conceded by India


APP December 26, 2015
Pervaiz Rashid. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD:


Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid on Saturday said lasting peace is impossible in the entire region without resolving the longstanding dispute of Kashmir.


“The UN had already accepted the Kashmiris’ right of self-determination because it is imperative for achieving durable peace in the region,” he told delegates at the Kashmir Round Table Conference.

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According to him, the right to self-determination has already been conceded by Indian leadership at the UN.

“We have to win not only support of the entire world but also make inroads into the saner elements in India having democratic approach and human rights activists for achieving the goal of winning the right of self-determination for Kashmiris,” he said.

The minister pointed out that no issue can be resolved through a static approach, adding that success will be brought for the Kashmiris by the current leadership. “Pakistan will continue its support [for Kashmiris] at all levels,” he added

The minister claimed Pakistan could have come very close to resolving Kashmir issue if the peace initiative started by the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) former government had not been sabotaged.

“In 1999, the Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee came to Pakistan and said that 1999 was the year of resolution of Kashmir issue. Kashmiris could have been near to their destination had the government of the PML-N not been toppled,” he said.

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For resolving the issue of Kashmir, he said, Pakistan had already tried a number of options including war, various types of negotiations and raising the issue at various international forums.

“We should adopt all possible options to resolve Kashmir issue as we all want freedom for Kashmiris in in the held-Kashmir. Right path should be adopted for achieving the goal,” he said. 

Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2015.

COMMENTS (8)

Vivan | 8 years ago | Reply You have been discussing same Kashmir for 67 years, and will keep on discussing Kashmir for next decades with zero outcome....so till India's concerned are not addressed, nothing will come out
Sam | 8 years ago | Reply Hahaha please repeat your Kashmir song and see these talks will be cancelled like previous two.... Modi gave you last chance, there'll be no talk after this
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