President stresses rapid move on LoC opening
By Our Special Correspondent

RAWALPINDI—President General Pervez Musharraf Tuesday reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to finding a just and equitable resolution to the long-standing Jammu and Kashmir dispute.
Speaking to Kashmiri leader Yasin Malik, the President said people of Kashmir on both sides of the Line of Control should be allowed to help each other in relief and reconstruction work in the wake of October 8 massive earthquake.
Pakistan has formally proposed to India to open Line of Control in Kashmir and identified five points for allowing Kashmiris on the two sides to help each other in relief and reconstruction efforts in the aftermath of the natural calamity.
Yasin Malik, who is Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front, Malik called on the President to express solidarity and support on behalf of the people of Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
“The people of Pakistan are committed to the cause of Kashmir and want a just and equitable resolution to the dispute in accordance with wishes of the Kashmiri people,” the President said.
He briefed the Kashmiri leader about the massive efforts underway to provide tents, medicines and succor to the people of quake-ravaged areas in Azad Kashmir and North West Frontier Province.
Yasin Malik welcomed President Musharraf’s proposal for cross-LoC movement in view of relief and reconstruction cooperation between the Kashmiris on both sides.
“We fully support the proposal and believe that the people on both sides of the Line of Control should be allowed to meet each other and take part in relief and reconstruction efforts,” he stated.
He presented Rs two million contribution to the President’s Relief Fund for Earthquake Victims and informed that relief goods for the quake victims are being arranged from Nepal.
Malik said the people of Occupied Kashmir have been deeply anguished at the loss of lives and the scale of damage in the quake tragedy.
Online adds: Chairman Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front and central leader of APHC, Yaseen Malik has met President General Pervez Musharraf in Army House Rawalpindi and expressed grief and sympathy over the colossal loss of life and property caused by October, 8 killer earthquake in the parts of Pakistan saying people of Kashmir stand by Pakistan in this hour of crisis.
Yaseen Malik also apprised the President of the damage caused by the quake in the occupied Kashmir.
He also welcomed proposal floated by the President General Pervez Musharraf about LoC saying it will benefit Kashmiris living on both sides of LoC and they will be able to help their affected brethren.
President General Pervez Musharraf thanked Yaseen Malik for expressing solidarity with quake victims reiterating government would mobilize all resources for rehabilitation of quake affected people.
Survey is being conducted for assessing the loss occurred in the quake hit areas of NWFP and AJK, he informed.
He went on to say that the population living in the border villages very close to LoC was affected badly in the quake. The aid has not reached there so far. “Therefore, we proposed to open LoC. India has agreed to hold talks on it, which is good omen. We hope the modalities for opening up LoC will be worked out”, he hoped. It will benefit Kashmiris, he added.
President underlined Pakistan stands by Kashmiris and it will continue all efforts to resolve Kashmir issue. The peace will come in the region when this dispute is sorted out. Pakistan is holding talks with India on several options for resolution of this issue, he remarked. “We want such a solution to this problem which is acceptable to all the three stakeholders including Kashmiris, Pakistan and India. Composite dialogue process and CBMS should move in tandem, he insisted.