ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani on Saturday terming the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IoJK) dispute as at the centre of tensions in South Asia urged India for a ‘meaningful’ dialogue to resolve the issue.
"I urge India to enter into a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue with Pakistan on the issue of IoJK," the Prime Minister said in a message read out at the joint session of Azad Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly (AJK-LA) and Kashmir Council held in Muzaffarabad.
Gilani, who was scheduled to address the joint session of AJK-LA and Kashmir Council, had to cancel his visit to Muzaffarabad due to bad weather and poor visibility.
He said India's refusal to implement the relevant Security Council resolutions has blocked the way of a durable peace in the region.
The Prime Minister offered Pakistan's unconditional willingness to discuss all issues, including the issue of IoJK with India. He, however, said that sincerity and seriousness should remain the basic fundamentals of dialogue process.
The Prime Minister said participation of Kashmiris was essential in every effort to resolve the issue of IoJK.
Gilani reiterated the pledge of the people of Pakistan to continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to self-determination.
The Prime Minister in his message, read out by AJK Speaker, stated that the Kashmir dispute involves the fundamental rights and the principle of self-determination.
"We cannot ignore the responsibility in addressing the miseries and sufferings of innocent people," Gilani said.
He said Pakistan remains firmly committed to its principled stance on IoJK based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
"The Kashmir dispute remains close to the heart of every Pakistani and the future of both Pakistan and Indian occupied Kashmir is linked," the Prime Minister said.
He said that the struggle in Indian occupied Kashmir was the result of human rights abuses perpetrated by the Indian security forces.
"The peaceful indigenous and widespread uprising of the Kashmiri people has demonstrated that the issue of Jammu and Kashmir cannot be ignored," the Prime Minister said.
He said that the human rights violations have also been observed by the international community and noted by the international media.
"I salute the brave and courageous men, women and youth of Kashmir who laid down their lives for the cause in the last six decades. The IoJK issue remains an unfulfilled agenda of the United Nations."
He also sought support from the international community for the people of Kashmir for their right to self-determination.
The Prime Minister paid homage to the memory of thousands of Kashmiri martyrs, who have laid down their lives for their just cause and said that the courageous people of IoJK remain steadfast in their resolve to confront through non-violent means.
"We salute their sacrifices and determination to hold high the banner of freedom to defend their dignity and honour."
Pakistan will continue to extend its moral, diplomatic and political support to the just cause of people of IoJK, the Prime Minister said.
"We solemnly affirm our unstinted support to the just struggle of Kashmiri people to safeguard their fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination as enshrined in UN resolutions," Gilani added.
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