No policy shift on Kashmir: PM
Staff Report

ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Friday categorically stated that there was no policy shift on Kashmir, as Pakistan wants a just and peaceful solution of this lingering dispute according to the true aspirations of the Kashmiris.
“There is no change in Pakistan’s principled stand on Kashmir, as we want a just and peaceful solution which caters to the true aspirations of Kashmiri people”, the Prime Minister said while talking to newsmen here at the PM Secretariat. He said all the efforts including the ongoingComposite Dialogue between India and Pakistan or the back-channel diplomacy are aimed at achieving the objective, that is the just and peaceful solution.
The proposals like demilitarization, joint control and the self-governance were being talked about as a basis for the peace and just solution of this dispute and there was nothing new in Pakistan’s policy on Kashmir, the Prime Minister said. “We have always been with the Kashmiris and will remain with them”, he added.
To a question about the reports on government’s intention to declare two holidays in a week to tackle with the energy problem, the Prime Minister said “there is no truth in such reports”. He, however, added that as the gap between demand and supply of electricity in the summer season increases, the government was taking measures to minimize this gap in the next summer through various means and WAPDA and KESC are working on it. The Prime Minister said, besides load-management during the peak hours, the government as a temporary arrangement was also importing some power generation equipment to reduce the gap between demand and supply.
He attributed the increased energy demand to the enhanced economic activities in the country and due to higher economic growth. The Prime Minister said the economic growth rate was being sustained through prudent economic measures and it will go to eight to ten per cent. In response to a question about Christmas, thePrime Minister said the present government took a bold decision to allow joint electorate to the Christians, while keeping their reserved seats in the assemblies intact.
He said, the decision was meant to create a conducive environment for the minorities. The Prime Minister said, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had clearly stated in his various speeches that the people of all faiths will be fully free to practice their religion in Pakistan. Islam gives the same message, he added. To another question, the Prime Minister said he will attend the funeral of late Turkmenistan President, Saparmurat Niyazov to be held in Turkmenistan on Sunday.
He said Pakistan and Turkmenistan have close ties, which was also evident from the visit of Saparmurat Niyazov to Pakistan and President Musharraf’s visit to Turkmenistan. The Prime Minister said Pakistan gives much importance to its relations with the Central Asian States, which was also evident from his decision toattend the funeral of late Turkmen President.
The Prime Minister said, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had clearly stated in his various speeches that the people of all faiths will be fully free to practice their religion in Pakistan. Islam gives the same message, he added. To another question, the Prime Minister said he will attend the funeral of late Turkmenistan President, Saparmurat Niyazov to be held in Turkmenistan on Sunday.