Kasuri briefs Kashmiris on back channel moves
By Our Diplomatic Correspondent

ISLAMABAD—Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that Pakistan would not sellout on Kashmir and the issue would be resolved in line with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
He expressed these views while briefing Kashmiri leadership at the Foreign Office here on Tuesday. He also apprised the Kashmiri leaders about backdoor diplomacy with India, sources said. The sources quoted Kasuri as saying that durable peace in the region was linked to Kashmir solution. He said that Pakistan was sincerely engaged in talks with the India over resolution of Kashmir dispute but its durable solution could not be possible without inclusion of Kashmiri people.
Kasuri told Kashmiri leaders that the progress on Kashmir issue was reviewed during foreign secretaries level talks held in New Delhi and Pakistan urged India to give positive response to the President Musharraf’s proposals of demilitarization and joint control. India he said was keeping mum about the proposals but Pakistan would be putting pressure on it and would continue moral, political and diplomatic support of Kashmiris.
The Kashmiri leadership stressed on Pakistan to set time frame with India for resolution of Kashmir issue along with the confidence building measures, otherwise all CBMs would be of no avail. They said that president Musharraf should use his status urging United States and United Nations to play role for resolution of Kashmir issue. The Kashmiri leadership expressed their confidence in Musharraf policy on Kashmir; however, some opposition members expressed apprehensions and extended their proposals asking Pakistan to adopt aggressive instead of defensive attitude. Sixty leaders including President AJK Raja Zulquarnain, PM Sardar Atiq, Syed Yousaf Nasim of APHC, Amanullah Khan of JKLF attended the briefing.
Three main AJK parties in protest have boycotted the briefing of Government of Pakistan given to Kashmiri leadership on Kashmir issue. President Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Muslim League (JKPML), Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch, President Jammu and Kashmir Pakistan Peoples Party (JK-PPP), Sardar Khalid Ibrahim and President Pakistan Peoples Party Azad Kashmir, Abdul Majid have taken the decision over unilateral steps taken by the Federal Government in Azad Kashmir. President JK-PPP Sardar Khalid Ibrahim while talking to Online said that the Federal Government has brought corrupt and dishonest people in Azad Kashmir government. No decision about the division of Kashmir would be acceptable, President JK-PPP added.
Sardar Khalid Ibrahim said that the federation intended to take the decisions against the aspirations of Kashmiri people that’s why we had not taken the oath for 3 months. President Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Muslim League (JKPML), Barrister Sultan Mehmood Ch said that a decision regarding the formation of grand alliance against AJK government would be announced soon.