No compromise on Kashmir issue: Kasuri
25 May, 2007
ISLAMABAD: Foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri Thursday said in categorical term Pakistan will never ever compromise on its national interests on Kashmir or do anything that is against the aspirations and principles of Kashmiri people. Pakistan and India, he said are trying to reduce their differences on different proposal including self governance and joint control so that we could move forward. If we have had continued our previous policy on Kashmir then more Kashmiris could have been martyred. He observed this while briefing the Parliamentary committee on Kashmir about composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India and Pakistan's foreign policy in an in-camera meeting. Committee chairman Hamid Nasir Chattha presided over the session, which was well attended by other committee members. The sources privy to the meeting told Online that foreign minister informed the committee that several options have been mulled with India for Kashmir solution. When we will reach a solution we will definitely take the nation and parliament into confidence about it, he added. Mr Kasuri said Kashmir is the main issue of composite dialogue process with India and people of Kashmir got some relief thanks to the composite dialogue process, which has also improved the relations between the two states. Had we continued our previous policy of Kashmir then more and more Kashmiris could have been martyred, he said and added that is why we adopted the path of negotiations. We gave several options to India and now India is entangled into the process but its is not agreeing to any option that is why the outcome of positive results will take some time, Mr Kasuri maintained. The foreign minister also made it clear that Pakistan has never ever talked about sovereignty of Kashmir but have asked to give it a special status. Similarly we have also given options of demilitarization and joint control. He said Pakistan wants solution of Kashmir issue through talks, however we will accept only that solution that is also acceptable to people of Kashmir. The sources also told that Mr Kasuri while responding to queries said China is a time-tested friend of Pakistan who had always supported talks between Pakistan and India and settlement of Kashmir issue through peaceful means. He also said that Pakistan has been strengthening its defence and in this regard we have ties with China at the level which ordinary people cannot imagine. The foreign minister said JF-17 Thunder fighter jets a joint Sino-Pak production will be backbone of Pakistani Air Force, as these are better then F-16s. We are also trying to get hold of more advanced and better fighter planes. Mr Kasuri also said we have always preferred our national interests over our ties with India and never ever kneeled before Washington. The members of the committee hailing from opposition benches expressed their discontent over Mr Kasuri's briefing saying he has given no new revelation as far as Kashmir issue is concerned. He told only the things commonly circulating in newspapers. Talking to Online after the meeting committee member Raja Pervaiz Ashraf said Kashmir is a very important issue and it should be resolved as per aspirations of Kashmiri people and government should bring forth all the options before parliament and nation and if negotiations are going on, on different options then the outcome of these parleys should be revealed to the public and their opinion should also be sought. The interests of Kashmiri people should be given preference. He also said national consensus on this issue is very important. He said we must be told as what response India has given on these options. He said the people who are using the backdoor channels for solution of Kashmir issue should also be brought before the committee.
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