Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly (LA) Sardar Ghulam Sadiq appreciated the efforts of Pakistan in highlighting the Kashmir issue at different national and international fora in an effective manner. "The PPP-led coalition federal government is fully committed to the Kashmir cause and making all-out efforts for its early resolution."
In an exclusive interview with APP on Thursday he said trade between Pakistan and India could be a Confidence Building Measure (CBM) for resolving the bilateral issues including Kashmir dispute. He said the days of arms race were over now and both countries need to resolve bilateral issues through negotiations in the best interest of the masses of the region. He said it was for the first time that India had recognised Kashmir as a disputed territory and hoped that India would go ahead to resolve this issue in the best interest of the global and regional peace.
He said there was a strong cultural, geographical and religious bond between the people of Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir, and every year they observe solidarity with the masses of occupied Kashmir to renew their resolve to continue supporting the liberation movement till the ultimate resolution of the issue. The speaker said our ancestors declared the liberated territory as the "Base Camp" for the liberation movement and the present PPP government was working to restore its true status.
He said the Kashmiris had sacrificed their lives and properties for the liberation struggle and could never surrender before any power at any cost. He rejected all the options presented by different people from time to time for the resolution of Kashmir issue and said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would never accept any option other than the right to self-determination through a plebiscite.