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'Kashmir' only dispute between Pakistan, India: CE

MUZAFFARABAD: Chief Executive, General Pervez Musharraf on Saturday said Kashmir was the, "only dispute," between Pakistan and India and said he was ready for talks to resolve this festering issue.

"I am ready to meet anybody for the right of self-determination of the Kashmiri people. I am ready to go anywhere to talk on Kashmir issue. They must accept Kashmir as a dispute," he said amidst thunderous applause and chants of, "Allah-o-Akbar," of Kashmiri people who have taken refuge in Ambore camp near Muzaffarabad.

The men, women and children from Indian-held Kashmir who were forced to leave their homes due to Indian repression gave rousing welcome to Chief Executive on his arrival. "I feel encouraged and spirited to be amongst you," General Musharraf said.

Musharraf said, "I want to state it in clear terms and without any reservations that there was only one dispute between Pakistan and India and that is Kashmir. All other issues are irritants which will be automatically settled once this main issue is resolved."

He said the previous governments had been saying that Pakistan was ready to talk on all issues with India including Kashmir. "There are no 'all issues.' There is only one issue and that is Kashmir. The other issues are very trivial in nature."

India will find us ready for talks if itself is willing to talk on Kashmir."

He said Kashmir was the main issue for Pakistan. "It cannot be overlooked or ignored because the hearts of Pakistani people beat with their Kashmiri brethern."

He called on Kashmiri groups engaged in freedom movement to forge unity in their ranks. "You have common objective. You should rise above trivial differences and work unitedly for your cause."

He said the people of Pakistan marked the beginning of the new millennium with a Dua in the month of Ramazan for the liberation of held Kashmir. "We prayed for the salvation of people of Kashmir from Indian occupation and repression."

"It is my faith that the people of Kashmir would definitely achieve freedom one day. That day is not far off."

He said Pakistani nation feels proud to hear the narration of acts of bravery and heroism of Kashmiri freedom fighters.

He said India is trying to mislead the international community by maligning freedom movement as terrorism. "I am happy to say that this Indian compaign has miserably failed."

Musharraf said the world was aware of the fact that people of Kashmir started their liberation movement indigenously. "They are not involved in any terrorist activity."

He said he had informed the US Senators and other foreign dignitaries that Kashmiri freedom struggle has no relevance with terrorism.

He said the United Nations has acknowledged the right of self-determination since independence of Pakistan. "If right of self-determination is granted to the people of East Timor, which was not on UN agenda, why the same right was not given to Kashmiri people whose case has been pending with the world body for the past fifty years or so."

"I urge peace-loving people of the world to visit this region to see for themselves the atrocities being committed on the innocent people of Kashmir by India."

He said he has told the world and India that the development of this region was hampered by Kashmir issue. "It is the only region in the world which is not making progress due to dispute between Pakistan and India and that is over Kashmir."

He announced Rs 200 million grant for the Azad Kashmir government for the uplift of all districts.

He also announced Rs 500 million grant for poverty alleviation in Azad Kashmir.

He called on the people of Azad Kashmir to identify the areas where this money could be spent.

He said Army Monitoring System would oversee this process so that the grants were used properly.

The Chief Executive also praised the young Kashmiri boys and girls, attired in their traditional gowns and costumes, on singing a moving national song. "I was greatly touched and moved by this song."

He also raised slogans of, "Pakistan Zindabad," "Kashmiri Movement Zindabad," alongwith Kashmiri refugees.

Later he visited exhibition of Kashmiri handicraft arranged at Ambore camp.

He commended the diligence and hard work done by the Kashmiri refugees to keep their culture and civilisation alive.

Earlier, Chief Executive joined Kashmiri refugees in the collective prayers for success of Kashmir liberation movement.

He also joined the refugees at the lunch and promised them that he would remain in touch with them. APP