By IANS,
Islamabad : Pakistani Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf Monday reiterated Islamabad’s diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris to get their right to self-determination from India, when he met Kashmiri separatist leaders led by moderate Hurriyat faction chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq.
A seven-member delegation from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference arrived in Lahore Saturday for talks on the Kashmir issue and for a visit to Pakistan-administered Kashmir, Xinhua reported.
The Kashmiri leaders have called for free movement of Kashmiris along the Line of Control, which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region.
“Pakistan takes pride in the indigenous struggle waged by the people of Kashmir for their right of self determination,” Xinhua quoted the prime minister as saying Monday.
“We praise the political acumen and wisdom of the Hurriyat leadership in its efforts to highlight the case of the people of Kashmir,” he said.
Ashraf said there was consensus in Pakistan among all political parties on the Kashmir issue, and that Pakistan seeks to resolve the issue on the basis of UN resolutions and aspiration of the Kashmiri people.
The prime minister praised the vision, wisdom and the patience that the Kashmiri leaders have demonstrated in highlighting the cause of the Kashmiri people and assured them that “Pakistan fully stands behind them”.
The Mirwaiz thanked the prime minister, and said the people of Kashmir value the unconditional support of the government and the people of Pakistan.
Umer Farooq said on his arrival in Pakistan on Saturday that lasting peace in the region cannot be ensured without resolving the Kashmir issue.
Earlier, Umar Farooq said lasting peace in the region cannot be ensured without resolving the Kashmir issue.
“Pakistan has played a very positive role in the solution of Kashmir issue and it always extended its moral diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people,” Xinhua quoted the Mirwaiz as saying.
The Mirwaiz also urged India to create a congenial atmosphere for talks with Pakistan on the issue.
He said Pakistan should stress on inclusion of Kashmiri people in the dialogue process with India to make it meaningful and result-oriented.