Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf. PHOTO: FILE
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said on Monday that Pakistan will stand by the people of Kashmir till a peaceful resolution to the dispute is achieved.
In a message issued on the occasion of Kashmir day, Prime Minister Ashraf said: “On behalf of the government, I reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to a just and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute,”
He said the government will continue to extend its unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the cause, which has been on the agenda of the United Nations for the past six decades, however, remains unresolved.
The premier said that the right to self determination of the people of the region will be achieved through a free and impartial plebiscite in line with the UN Charter and the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.
Ashraf said Pakistan supports dialogue with the Indian government and has introduced confidence building measures (CMB) is this regard.
“We have initiated CBMs in good faith and hope that they will mitigate the sufferings of the Kashmiri populace,” Ashraf said.
Highlighting the importance of the occasion he said that, “February 5 is observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day by the people of Pakistan every year to reaffirm our resolve to stand by our Kashmiri brethren.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2013.
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@Genesis:The UN resolution says Kashmir dispute should be solved by peaceful and meaningful communication process and also by the people of Kashmir who they want to stay with. Later after 1971 Shimla agreement, it is clearly stated that no state would cross the LOC and will remain on each other’s side peacefully Since 1948 did ever India give Kashmiris their basic right of plebiscite?Never but always played the elections' drama in Jammu and Kashmir and coerced the Kashmiri people on gunpoint to cast their votes in favor of India.I am glad to read your comment that you presented the solution of Kashmir issue which any one didn't present and if you give freewill and freedom of using plebiscite right to the Kashmiri people now,which has never been given,then the Kashmir issue can be resolved easily according to the wishes of Kashmiri people and we Pakistani are also insisting on the same thing you mentioned in your comment.
Why this PM does not pledge full support to Shias, Ahmadis and other minorities?
@Shah: Quoting what someone said in 1665 .............. does it mean anything or have any significance? Many say many things and only fools will take it as a gospel truth. One US Congressman said that Pakistanis can sell their mother for $1.
On your other point : "Anyways i ask India,withdraw your 800000 forces from Kashmir and see what happens." It is like the Pakistan army that cannot even enter Baluchistan, Waziristan, FATA or even Karachi. It is the Indian army that can enter and stay in any part of the Indian territory.
It is time Pakistan realizes that there shall never be another division of any country based on religion, particularly if there is a demand from muslims anywhere in the world to cede them any territory, be it Golan Heights or Kashmir Mountains. This is the reality, universally followed the non-muslim world. Even the muslim world likes it as can be seen from the fragmentation of some muslim countries in the recent times. Check China's thoughts and find out if China wants any part of Kashmir region now held by India to be given away to Pakistan. You will be surprised. Ask Iran the same question, You will be surprised again. It will surprise you to hear the same answer from Afghanistan or any of the Gulf countries and even Turkey, and Egypt also. Test it with taking the issue at the UN and see how many ot these countries side with Pakistan. They may not support India openly but will openly oppose Pakistan.
@Raza Khan: Final victory is just around the corner!
Unfortunately Pakistanis are hoping to find that elusive corner while sitting in a spherical room
More people die in Karachi every day than in Kashmir. Kashmir gets more tourists than all of Pakistan, and has a more thriving economy. But for Pakistan's constant interference in Kashmir, the state would have progressed much more. Travel around India and see how Kashmiri businesses are thriving. Thanks to this obsession with Kashmir which is bleeding Pakistan to death, India will soon be pledging full support to Balochistan, Sindh, and other struggles in Pakistan yearning to break free. Is it so hard to see how much Kashmir has damaged Pakistan?
The obsession continues.
Pakistan obsessed with Kashmir, hates India for taking it. It has tried war, diplomacy, sending Terrorists to India everything!
Except diplomacy each action has been an unmitigated disaster.
War: Pakistan launches '65 war to capture Kashmir. Fails. India, up until then viewed Pakistan favourably, but changes its mind. In '71, opportunity presents itself India breaks Pakistan into two. Even in Kargil, Pakistan was embarrassed and the events after that derailed Democracy in Pakistan. Years of diplomacy down the drain as the world viewed Pakistan as the aggressor.
Terror: Pakistan trains Terrorists and send them into Kashmir. The ideology required to manufacture Terrorists end up manufacturing Terrorists which are opposed to the present idea of Pakistan! Ahmadis, Shias, Hindus, Sikhs and Christians are targeted. 2 weeks ago 116 people were killed by a suicide bomber for being Shias.
Even after all this PM, who is on the run from the SC court, sees benefit in talking about Kashmir.
After induction of modern equipment to detect infiltration, India is not that involved in Pakistan's mess. Is growing fast and doing well. Pakistan continues to suffer.
February 5 is observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day by the people of Pakistan...
Do Kashmiri's too observe this day? Or is it a case of being more loyal than the king?
If Pakistan keeps it to mere moral support, We'll have no objections. Infact we people also extend moral support to Pakistanis. They've suffered and continue to suffer a lot at the hands of not just their own but also of foreign rulers.
" “February 5 is observed as Kashmir Solidarity Day by the people of Pakistan every year to reaffirm our resolve to stand by our Kashmiri brethren.” +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ And will continue to so observe into the next 1000 years:) Standing by becoming by standers.
Do the Kashmirs in the Indian Held Kashmir know that they would be subject to Blasphemy Law if they become part of Pakistan? ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Grass may no longer look green on the other side once reality dawns:)
@Raza Khan: "Final victory is just round the corner!"
You are a real funny guy....
@ Clear Black Bag: "never imagine that India is gong to free Kashmir….."
That is correct. Pakistanis can do whatever they want, throw any tantrum, peace or war, but not a square inch of Kashmir going anywhere thats the bottom line. 65 year of history is testament to this fact. You might very well lose Pakistan, but no chance India is going to lose a square inch of Kashmir. FACT...
@Clear Black Bag:
Not another 65 years because, at the rate Pakistan is progressing, it will cease to exist in another 20. Moreover, Pakistan has to contend with a resurgent Afghanistan and Afghanistan in the fold western countries, soviet union is no longer a threat and the cold war ending, where do you think investment is going to go? Pakistan or Afghanistan?
Let’s not even Baluchistan and rest of the NWFP. Don’t worry, your politicians are only interested in selling Pakistan piece by piece to China and middle eastern countries. Soon, China will take care of the law and order situation.
We stand with our Kashmiri brethren in their fight against the EVIL Indian forces..!
Final victory is just around the corner! I can even see the shades of victory in bright day light. PK Zindabad & Paindabad.
Pakistans obsession with kashmir and hatred for India, has ruined the country in last 65 years. Whatever sympathy the world had with pakistan has vanished and the world is weary of a country that is drowing and yet will have a holiday to mark its obsession. Waht a waste of a country. Also, giving kashmir, political, moral and diplomatic support when politically, pakistan is on the verge iof another 1971 type break-up, morally pak society is killing each others, and diplomatically, when pak is considered a international migraine, there is not much that pak can do. why deluide yourselves?
Its time for India to take control rest of Kashmir from Pakistan.Pakistan occupied Kashmir is an occupied terittory by pakistan.It is an integeral part of India,means whole Kashmir should be part of India very soon.There is no historical link of pakistan occupied kashmir with pakistan.It is also good for pakistan to hand over balochistan terittory to the wish of balochistan people.Let Balochistan people live in peace after independence.
On Kashmir day, PM pledges full support When will the Pakistani PM pledge full support to Pakistani and Baluchi people??
It's a welcome statement from the Pakistani PM to emphasize on a peaceful resolution. Disputes can never be solved by insurgencies and violence. Bloody incidents only drag the dispute. Both India and Pakistan at state level need to show more togetherness and commitment to improve the situation in Kashmir. Kashmiris deserve a better life.
@Clear Black Bag: Immediately after independence Pakistan broke out war with India on Kashmir. On insistence of the then King of Kashmir, Indian forces went on in war with Pakistani forces. The truce was declared in late 1948 which followed till 1965 when Pakistan made another attempt to siege Kashmir by force, but was unable to do so. The UN resolution says Kashmir dispute should be solved by peaceful and meaningful communication process and also by the people of Kashmir who they want to stay with. Later after 1971 Shimla agreement, it is clearly stated that no state would cross the LOC and will remain on each other's side peacefully. As is evident from electoral mandate in Jammu & Kashmir's state of India that people are pretty happy being remained on Indian side of Kashmir. However, since Pakistan could not digest this fact, it has been sending militants on a regular basis to continue a proxy war. Since Pakistan was wary of the fact that on itself Pakistan would not be able to sustain Kashmir, it ceded north part of it to China. Kashmir and Kashmiris are free on Indian side, skirmishes happened in the state was due to infiltrators/militants and they were properly dealt with. The possibility is to create a permanent Line of Control along the de-facto border and let the two states handle the part they occupy to avoid future skirmishes as War is no resolution as is evident from the history.
&ClearBlackBag: Immediately after independence Pakistan broke out war with India on Kashmir. On insistence of the then King of Kashmir, Indian forces went on in war with Pakistani forces. The truce was declared in late 1948 which followed till 1965 when Pakistan made another attempt to siege Kashmir by force, but was unable to do so. The UN resolution says Kashmir dispute should be solved by peaceful and meaningful communication process and also by the people of Kashmir who they want to stay with. Later after 1971 Shimla agreement, it is clearly stated that no state would cross the LOC and will remain on each other's side peacefully. As is evident from electoral mandate in Jammu & Kashmir's state of India that people are pretty happy being remained on Indian side of Kashmir. However, since Pakistan could not digest this fact, it has been sending militants on a regular basis to continue a proxy war. Since Pakistan was wary of the fact that on itself Pakistan would not be able to sustain Kashmir, it ceded north part of it to China. Kashmir and Kashmiris are free on Indian side, skirmishes happened in the state was due to infiltrators/militants and they were properly dealt with. The possibility is to create a permanent Line of Control along the de-facto border and let the two states handle the part they occupy to avoid future skirmishes as War is no resolution as is evident from the history.
Kashmir, for Pakistan is the albratos around its neck. It has drained the nation of its resources for 65 years at the cost of its people for the benefit of the ruling click.
There is no change in tone and wordings of both countries on Kashmir which remain same for the past six decades ie Pakistan- We extend full political, moral and diplomatic support to people of Kashmir--------India- Kashmir is and would always remain integral part of India. One cannot foresee any change in situation in future as well and as long there is no war, both sides should just relax and be satisfied with whatever one holds.
Anyways, Keeping 800000 forces in Kashmir does not mean India is controlling Kashmir, it means India is occupying Kashmir. There is 1 Indian troop for every 10 civilians in Kashmir. Kashmir is the most Militarized zone on the earth. Anyways i ask India,withdraw your 800000 forces from Kashmir and see what happens.
I am charmed with Kachemire. In truth, the kingdom surpasses in beauty all that my warm imagination had anticipated. Kashmiris are celebrated for wit, and considered much more intelligent and ingenious than the Indians.' Francois Bernier (1665)
@Pandit Kuta: Dream on.
@H. Khan the problem is there is no economy and no productivity. and ample of holidays in the name of strikes and dharnas and long marches. so one holiday in the name of solidarity with kashmiris will be no problem. inshAllah Kashmir will be freed soon from the illegal occupation of India.
masla-i-Khasmir, will always remain the same,
"Kashmir" The burning,core,long-awaited and long-standing issue between Pakistan and India which India never considered as an issue and as usual has been saying this that Kashmir is the integral part of India even never considered Kashmir as a disputed territory and always considered Kashmir issue as a disputed between Pakistan and India in this sense,id est,Pakistan withdraw itself from Kashmir's stance/standpoint and 65 years have been wasted on peace talks between Pakistan and India....Now how many years more shall be wasted on peace talks with India on Kashmir issue and how many innocent and sinless people in Kashmir shall be martyred?At least now cerebrate about the other options to free Kashmir from Indian occupation without wasting any more time and money on useless,non-result-oriented,time and money wasting peace talks,as on LoC's violations from India itself the Indian air's and army's chiefs said that we have many other options if Pakistan didn't leave LoC's violations,because thru peace talks never imagine that India is gong to free Kashmir.....
“On behalf of the government, I reaffirm Pakistan’s commitment to a just and peaceful resolution to the Kashmir dispute,”" +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Then what is the Pakistani nuclear stockpile for?Fighting China?
Utter waste of time, grow up guys,....
Kashmir is an integral part of Pakistan. InshaAllah Kashmir will be free soon from Indian illegal occupation. ALLAH-O-AKBAR
@H. Khan: when any political party calls for strikes, then what???
That successive elected/self-appointed leaders of Pakistan can utter these words (unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the cause) regularly is a reflection of the almost stupendous failure of Indian foreign policy. This is akin to encouraging secession. How can any country anywhere else in the world get away with something like this?
Mr. Prime Minister, First fix the part of Pakistan you control then eye on Kashmir.
"He said the government will continue to extend its unwavering political, moral and diplomatic support to the cause"................Can we assume that the infiltration of militants into India from that side of border is not going to stop in the near future !!!
What a waste of time and News paper space... do something meaningful on life which make sense.... otherwise Yawn!!!!
And yet there is no public place or street named after Jinnah in Kashmir.
@H. Khan: "What a waste of National productivity and economy" ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Khan Sahib, its Kargil that steals the cake as waste of national honor, economy and character.
I have not been able to appreciate why there is Public holiday on this date.What a waste of National productivity and economy