Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani on Sunday said the forthcoming elections for Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly would be free, fair and transparent to make them credible for the international community.
Addressing a public meeting here after inaugurating development projects, the prime minister said that the federal government agencies, Punjab government as well as the Azad Kashmir government had been directed that the elections should be conducted in a fair and transparent manners so that Pakistan could further improve its image at the international level.
Prime Minister Gilani said that all parties should avoid rigging in the state elections. He said the whole political leadership had been participating in the state election which was a good sign for strengthening of the democratic process. “Pakistan is committed to have good relations with its neighbours,” he said, adding all problems could be resolved through dialogue.
He said he had convinced Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh that all bilateral issues, including Kashmir could be resolved through dialogue and not through war. He said that Pakistan wanted to have a permanent and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue. Pakistan would convince the international community that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of Kashmiris, he added.
He hoped that the world community would help the Kashmiris get their rights. Gilani said it was his second visit to Shakargarh, and he had fulfilled his pledges made during his last visit by inaugurating the development projects today.
Speaking on the occasion, Punjab Governor Latif Khosa said that the PPP was committed for resolving the problems of people. He said the prime minister and the other leadership of the PPP government were sincere and committed for the development of neglected areas. He said that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto advocated the Kashmir cause with devotion.
Speaking on this occasion, Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said that Kashmiris still needed moral and diplomatic support from Pakistan and with the arrival of prime minister to the area, it had been proved that the PPP government was determined and serious to resolve the problems of the Kashmiris.
On the occasion, Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Ahmed Wattoo said that the PPP was the party that always protected and ensured rights of common man. PPP Punjab President Imtiaz Safdar Warriach said that the PPP always projected the Kashmir cause in its true spirit.
Earlier, Prime Minister Gilani inaugurated supply of Sui gas to Shakargarh and Norowal area and inaugurated the project of a bridge that will provide access to over 70 villages to reach Shakargarh after reducing 30km distance for them. The prime minister also inaugurated a sewerage project in the area for the benefit of local population.
Pakistan to make Azad Kashmir election credible for world: Gilani
