Gilani seeks meaningful dialogue on Kashmir

Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Feb 5 (PTI) Prime Minister Yousuf Raza
Gilani on Saturday asked India to hold a "meaningful" dialogue
with Pakistan to resolve the Kashmir issue, which he contended
was at the centre of tensions in South Asia.
"I urge India to enter into a meaningful and
result-oriented dialogue with Pakistan on the issue of Jammu
and Kashmir," Gilani said in a message read out at a joint
session of the legislative assembly and council of
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in Muzaffarabad.
India's refusal to implement relevant UN Security
Council resolutions has blocked the way to a durable peace in
the region, contended Gilani, who was scheduled to address the
joint session but had to cancel his visit to Muzaffarabad due
to bad weather and poor visibility.
Gilani offered Pakistan's "unconditional willingness"
to discuss all issues, including the issue of Kashmir, with
India.
He said sincerity and seriousness should remain the
basic fundamentals of the dialogue process and that the
participation of Kashmiris is essential for any effort to
resolve the issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
Gilani also reiterated the pledge of the Pakistani
people to "continue to extend moral, political and diplomatic
support to Kashmiris in their just struggle for the right to
self-determination".
Gilani's remarks came a day ahead of a scheduled
meeting between the Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan
on the sidelines of a South Asian Association for Regional
Cooperation (SAARC) meet in Bhutan.
The top diplomats are expected to discuss ways to
revive the stalled peace process between the two countries.
The premier's message, read out by PoK speaker,
claimed that the Kashmir dispute involves "fundamental rights
and the principle of self-determination".
Gilani said: "We cannot ignore the responsibility in
addressing the miseries and sufferings of innocent people".
Pakistan remains firmly committed to its principled
stance on Kashmir based on relevant UN Security Council
resolutions, he said.
"The Kashmir dispute remains close to the heart of
every Pakistani and the future of both Pakistan and Kashmir is
linked," he added.
He said the alleged rights violations in Kashmir have
been observed by the international community and noted by the
world media.
"The Jammu and Kashmir issue remains an unfulfilled
agenda of the United Nations," he said.