Kashmir is Pakistan’s lifeline: Shahbaz

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said Kashmir is the lifeline of Pakistan which has been kept separated from it by force.
Addressing a joint press conference with Kashmir Committee Chairman Fazlur Rehman at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Shahbaz said Kashmiris had rendered innumerable sacrifices for freedom. He said millions of Kashmiris had sacrificed their lives but the UN resolutions for resolving this dispute had not been implemented and Kashmiris were still deprived of their basic right of self-determination. He said a lasting and durable peace could not be achieved in the subcontinent without solution of Kashmir problem and resolution of this core issue was the top priority of Pakistan. Shahbaz said no progress could be made with India without solving the basic issues with sincerity and commitment. “We support commerce and trade between the two neighbouring countries however, it depends upon us how we live together.”
Shahbaz said Pakistan had always extended diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris. Kashmir Committee Chairman Fazl told reporters that after the federal capital, the first meeting of the Kashmir Committee was held in Lahore. He said the committee will also hold its meetings in other provinces so that participation of all federating units could be ensured in the solution of Kashmir problem.
He said Pakistan had been entangled on its western frontiers during the last one decade due to which the Kashmir issue had gone into the background. Fazl made an appeal to the international community to take notice of Indian atrocities against Kashmiris and exert pressure on India to withdraw its forces from occupied Kashmir. He said all efforts should be directed towards solution of Kashmir issue.
Earlier, a meeting of the Kashmir Committee was held at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, under the chairmanship of Fazlur Rehman. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said Kashmiris had rewritten history through their supreme sacrifices in the struggle for freedom.
Fazl said Pakistan had a principled and just stance over the Kashmir issue which was recognised by the entire world including the UN. He said if Pakistan remained at the mercy of India it will continue to blackmail it on its own terms.
He said that Pakistan should safeguard its future and national interests should be protected through effective measures.