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Pakistan observes 'Kashmir Solidarity Day'

February 05, 2003 17:40 IST
By K J M Varma in Islamabad

The Pakistan government on Wednesday observed its annual 'Kashmir Solidarity Day'.

In separate messages, President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali accused India of carrying out state-sponsored terrorism against Kashmiris and violating their human rights. They appealed to the international community to take note of it.

"The international community must not let India renege from its legal and moral obligations to let the Kashmiri people decide their future. Neither can it allow India to continue with this policy of state terrorism," Musharraf said.

He also described as a 'sham' last year's assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan had taken several steps for the commencement of talks on the Kashmir issue, he said. "We call upon India... to respond positively to our peace initiatives."

Jamali said, "On assuming office of prime minister, I had sincerely offered resumption of dialogue to India. Pakistan is a recognised party to Kashmir dispute and has moral and legal obligations to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

"My government will, therefore, continue to extend full political, moral and diplomatic support to the freedom movement.

"There is an overwhelming acknowledgement that a solution of this fundamental issue is imperative for regional peace and security. It is not lost upon anyone that peace in South Asia is dependent on a fair settlement of the Kashmir dispute that takes into account the wishes of the Kashmiri people."

Jamali also addressed a meeting of the 'legislative assembly' of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and the Kashmir Council -- a state body consisting of key Pakistani federal ministers, to show support of his government to the Kashmir issue.

K J M Varma in Islamabad
Source: PTI
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