Kashmiri leaders praise PM for inclusion of Kashmir issue in Pak-US joint statement

Lahore: Kashmiri leaders have welcomed the joint statement issued at the end of talks between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and President Obama emphasising the importance of a sustained and resilient dialogue process between Pakistan and India aimed at resolving all outstanding territorial and other disputes including the core issue of Kashmir.

The Kashmiri leaders thanked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for raising the decades old lingering dispute of Kashmir dispute with President Obama and other American leaders forcefully.  They said that it was the result of the strong pleading by the Prime Minister that the joint statement called for the “solution of Kashmir dispute”.

The Kashmiri leaders said the joint statement recognised that improvement in Pakistan-India bilateral relations would greatly enhance prospects for lasting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and asserted that solution of Kashmir dispute is a key to achieve the cherished dream.

They said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif as per his commitment also raised the Kashmir issue at the United Nations in line with the aspirations of Kashmiri people.

Pakistan Muslim League (N) AJK President Sardar Farooq Haider said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was a benefactor of the Kashmiris who once again revived the Kashmir issue at international level.  He said it was due to consistent efforts of the Prime Minister that Kashmir issue was being heard at the international level.  He said the entire Kashmiri nation salute Mr Nawaz Sharif for exposing the belligerent and hegemonistic designs of India before the world.

AJK Peoples Party President Sardar Khalid Ibrahim said the joint statement was a slap on the face of India  which off and on states that Kashmir was its Atoot Anng(integral part).  He said the joint statement has proved that Kashmir is not a local but international dispute which must be resolved  in line with the UN resolutions.  He said it was now responsibility of the international community to pressurize India to agree to a plebiscite in Kashmir.

APHC (AJK) Convener Mir Tahir Masood said solution of Kashmir issue was not possible with American intervention. He said the US should take personal interest in Kashmir issue as it did in the case of East Timor and Sudan.

APHC(Gilani) AJK convener Ghulam Muhammad Safi  said that the Prime Minister raised the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly and reminded the world body of its responsibilities. He said the Pak-US joint statement and PM’s speech at the UN have once again reminded the world of the  need for resolution of Kashmir issue.He said the acceptance of Kashmir as a disputed territory is the victory of the Kashmiris point of view. He said the Prime Minister had raised the Kashmir issue during his previous tenures and by raising the issue once again,he has won the hearts and minds of Kashmiri people.