Time to solve
Kashmir dispute for lasting peace: Premier
By Asim Hussain
ISLAMABAD—Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Tuesday called for an early
settlement of Kashmir dispute and said peace in South Asia would remain
elusive without a just settlement of the issue in line with the
aspirations of Kashmiri people.
Talking to Khalid Mehmood, member of British Parliament who called on
him here, the Prime Minister said Pakistan being situated at the
confluence of three important regions namely South Asia, West Asia and
Central Asia, was making efforts to promote regional economic
cooperation and working as an anchor of peace and stability in the
region.
The Prime Minister said Pakistan attached great value to its multi-
faceted relationship with the United Kingdom, which covered political,
diplomatic, economic, defence, security, social and cultural fields.
Shaukat Aziz appreciated the role played by British Pakistanis in
promoting Pak-UK relations and said the Pakistani diaspora in the UK
should strengthen its efforts for projecting image of Pakistan. About
Overseas Investment Conference to be held early next year, the Prime
Minister said macro-economic stability achieved by the government due to
consistent and transparent investment-friendly policies provided an
opportunity for British Pakistanis to invest in Pakistan.
MP Khalid Mehmood appreciated the government for its reconstruction and
rehabilitation efforts in the earthquake-affected areas and said British
donors would provide assistance for imparting vocational training to the
people in quake-hit areas. This training will be provided in
coordination with NAVTEC.
Khalid Mehmood rejected the statement made by Nina Gill, member of
European Parliament and described it as immature for which she had no
mandate to make such remarks.
He said to strengthen democratic institutions in a country, one needed
to work with the government to promote the democratic process and
cooperate to alleviate poverty from the society, which is the real
concern for people. The meeting was also attended by Minister of State
for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem and senior officials.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has emphasized the need for an early
settlement of the Kashmir dispute. Mr. Shaukat Aziz said peace in South
Asia would remain elusive without a just settlement of the Kashmir
dispute in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of
Kashmir. He said only sustainable peace in South Asia would help the
region leverage its true potential.
The Prime Minister said, situated at the confluence of three important
regions of South Asia, Pakistan is making efforts to promote regional
economic cooperation and working as an anchor of peace and stability in
the region. He said Pakistan and UK have a special relationship which is
multifaceted covering political, diplomatic, economic, defence,
security, social and cultural fields and Pakistan attaches great value
to its relationship with the UK. |
