Haider hails resolution on Kashmir cause

AJK premier calls for political stability in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: As cross-border firings continue across the Line of Control, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government has welcomed a recent resolution passed by parliament in Islamabad which put its weight behind the Kashmir cause.

In a statement issued on Monday, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider said that under the present circumstances, when the Kashmir movement in the disputed Himalayan territory was passing through a critical phase, Kashmiris had welcomed the resolution.

He added that the Pakistani armed forces will never compromise on Kashmir. Reacting to the resolution, Haider appreciated how all political parties had banded together to pass the resolution.



“There are 22 million people behind this resolution and after passing it, a strong message has been conveyed by the Pakistani nation to the people of Kashmir,” Haider said.

However, the premier – who was elected into office on a Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) ticket - said that the country cannot afford political instability at a time when they have to compete with international powers such as the United States.

"In order to protect Kashmir and the national interest, political stability and national unity on issues of national significance was the need of the hour. Media in the country is free and that the importance of media is critical, it should show responsibility," he said, hoping that the national leadership will be united to face challenges.

He condemned human rights violations by Indian forces in the occupied Kashmir, saying that oppressive measures adopted by Indian forces cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from seeking their right to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Security Council resolutions.



The AJK prime minister urged the international community to promptly assume its part in slamming Indian brutality and boorishness as their silence over these atrocities was not justified at all.

Talking about the census in AJK, Haider said that results of the census in the region had yet to be officially announced.

He added that his government had taken steps to ensure that public funds were utilised in a transparent manner.