ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani has said that the resolution of Kashmir dispute is the realization of the right of self-determination of the people Jammu and Kashmir which is enshrined in the UN Charter. Addressing the Kashmir Solidarity Day Convention in Islamabad on Thursday, he said this right was promised to the Kashmiris by the international community more than six decades ago, but regrettably these fundamental rights continues to be denied to them.

He said the norms of justice, international law and the UN Security Council resolutions were violated while blatant human rights violations by the Indian security forces continue unabated.

Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani said that generations of Kashmiris have rendered countless sacrifices for this just cause which remains unrealized. Over ninety two thousand Kashmiris have lot their lives. Countless others have suffered all kinds of atrocities. He said there is no let up in the oppressive military presence and torture, extra judicial killings, disagreement of women, arbitrary detentions and fake encounters remain the order of the day.

Prime Minister said the indigenous uprising in Kashmir fueled by the Amarnath Shrine land issue last year has added another sad chapter to the sufferings of the Kashmiris. He said in hour of trial, suffering and struggle of the Kashmiris, the people and the government of Pakistan stood firmly with their Kashmiri brethren. He said the leadership of Pakistan, have condemned the brutal use of force by the Indians, and demanded them to respect the human rights of the people of Kashmir.

He said before the Mumbai incident, Pakistan was constructively engaged with India under the Composite Dialogue process. The Kashmir issue was a critical component of that dialogue. He said Pakistan has stressed the need for engagement and resumption of the Composite Dialogue.

He said we have impressed upon India and the rest of the world that focus of the efforts of the two countries should remain on countering terrorism which is the real issue. Prime Minister said Pakistan has been affected by terrorism and is therefore determined to deal with it unilaterally, bilaterally, regionally and globally.

He said we have further stressed that counter-terrorism requires pragmatic cooperation rather than resorting to hostile propaganda or threat of use of force. He said Pakistan hope that the peace process would resume soon and become result oriented in addressing all outstanding issues including the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.

He said the world powers have, once again, reiterated their concern on the centrality of this festering dispute to the peace efforts and called for its early resolution. He said we fully support, and indeed encourage, international efforts to this end.

The Prime Minister said the observance of 5th February as Solidarity Day is a singular reaffirmation of our commitment of solidarity with the people of Kashmir and we would continue to observe this day till such time that the heroic struggle of Kashmiris to achieve their right to self-determination reaches its logical conclusion.

He assured Kashmiris that Pakistan will continue to support the cause of Kashmir through peaceful political means. Concluding he prayed and hoped that the future generations of Kashmiris will be spared from the anguish of brutality and of foreign occupation

In his speech, President of Azad Kashmir Raja Zulqarnain Khan said Kashmiris don’t want war between Pakistan and India but peace can only be established through resolution of the Kashmir dispute. He said the two countries arrived at an understanding for various confidence building measures but the fact remains that solution of Kashmir conflict would be the biggest confidence building measure.

He expressed gratitude of Pakistan for its consistent support to the cause of Kashmiri people and providing valuable support during hours of trial like earthquake of 2005. Speaking on the occasion the Federal Minister on Kashmir Affairs Qamaruz Zaman Kaira said that the people and the government of Pakistan would continue its moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmir cause to its logical conclusion.

He said the settlement of the Kashmir Issue is imperative for the durable peace in South Asia. He said due to the tragic incident of Mumbai the Indian government got an excuse to suspend the composite dialogue. He said we are committed to initiate the peace process with India.

The Chairman of Kashmir Committee of the Parliament Mualana Fazalur Rehman said that we are not observing solidarity with our Kashmiri brethren in certain dates and month but they are an integral part of our body and life. This solidarity could not be reduced or weaken by any force.

He said the Kashmiri people have begun which struggle for seeking the right to self-determination Pakistani people is with them as the whole international community is agreed to give them their birth right.

Mualana Fazalur Rehman said members of the Kashmir Committee would visit Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Niger next month and would also lobby for the Kashmir cause on the occasion of OIC summit in Damascus in May this year. He said the Committee is of the view that lobbying should be done to have contact group on Kashmir in the European Union as well.

Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Council Mohammad Yasin Malik urged the Kashmiris and Pakistanis to sit down and chalk out a single strategy to resolve this issue. He said in the held Kashmir we have a transition from violent act to non violent as demanded by the world community and they are appreciating it.He said the whole civilized world is condemning the Mumbai incident. He said we must adopt a collective policy and should convey one only message by one voice.-SANA