Diplomatic moral support for Kashmir to continue: Mukhtar
By Saad Ahmed

RAWAPINDI—Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry Mukhtar has said that Pakistan would continue to extend diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmiri’s struggle for the right of self determination.
He stated this during a meeting with the President of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Raja Zulqarnain Khan who called on him here on Friday. The minister said that the people of occupied Kashmir had rendered unprecedented sacrifices for their just cause and eventually their efforts would lead to the resolution of Kashmir conflict.
He went on to say that the promotion of peace and stability in the South East Asia was directly linked to the resolution of Kashmir issue in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir. The President of AJK congratulated the minister on assuming the responsibility of Ministry of Defence.
He deeply appreciated the diplomatic and moral support always extended by Pakistan for the just struggle for independent Kashmir. Meanwhile, a meeting between Federal Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar and the Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan, Seiji Kojima, who called on him here on Friday, was held.
The envoy congratulated the minister on assuming responsibility of minister for Defence. The meeting expressed satisfaction over the growing ties and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries. It emphasized to further strengthen and broaden Defence cooperation. The anti terror efforts made by Pakistan also came under discussion at the meeting.
The minister informed the envoy that Pakistan was pursuing multi pronged strategy to contain and eliminate terrorism. He said that the strategy adopted by the present government to initiate dialogue and negotiations with these elements had started paying dividends and the security situation had witnessed a marked improvement since the formation of the new government.
The ambassador also conveyed to the minister that his country had resumed fuel supply to the Pakistan’s Navy ships, which were taking part in the Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan. The Minster told the envoy that the environment in Pakistan was investment-friendly and there were greater investment opportunities for the Japanese investors in various sectors.
The Minister stressed upon the envoy to bring Japanese industrialists and businessmen to benefit of the present environment and invest in textile, mobile and auto-parts sectors.
The ambassador of Jordan to Pakistan, Dr Saleh Ahmed Al-Jawarneh, also called on the minister and discussed with him matters of mutual interest.
He facilitated the minister on assumption the assignment of Minister for Defence.
The Minister told the envoy that Pakistan attached greater significance to its ties with Jordan as the two countries had deep-rooted relationship based on shared faith and values besides a communality of perceptions on regional and international issues.
The envoy informed the minister that his country was keen to further expand and increase cooperation in the spheres of trade, economy and particularly Defence.
He said that Pakistan’s assistance in this regard was of vital importance. The minister assured the envoy that Pakistan would continue to support the Jordan in these areas especially in the field of Defence.