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AJKCA plans peace in Kashmir, PoK by reviving cultural ties

The All Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Assembly has pledged to bring together the people of the Kashmir valley and Pakistan occupied Kashmir by strengthening the age old cultural affinities between them.

''We pledge to address to the causes of tension and conflict and resolve them through the message of Lalleshwari, Nund rishi and other saints and sufis of Kashmiri culture," a declaration adopted unanimously by the assembly at a two-day general body meeting in New Delhi said.

In all, 113 members attended the meeting. They included assembly convenor Professor Bhim Singh, Gulam Rasool Kar, Altaf Indrabi and Iftakhar Geelani.

Some members from PoK could not participate as they were denied a visa.

Former PoK 'prime minister' Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan welcomed the decision, but took strong exception to calling his region PoK.

The next meeting of the assembly would be held in the valley later this year, Professor Bhim Singh told reporters.

''We, the peace loving people of all the regions of Jammu and Kashmir, irrespective of our ethnic connections, religions, regions or languages or political schools of thought, do hereby solemnly pledge to put our heads and hearts together to promote, protect and strengthen the bonds of cultural affinity,'' the declaration adopted on Sunday said.

Professor Bhim Singh announced the formation of a standing committee -- with Sardar Qayyum Khan as its chairman, and J&K Congress leader Ghulam Rasool Kar as vice-chairman -- and five sub-committees.

The sub-committees would deal with membership enrolment, constitution drafting, identification of cultural composition, promotion of inter-provincial composition and zonal coordination.

UNI

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