Lauding the principled stand taken by Pakistan on the occasion of proposed Pak-India NSA-level talks, Chairman All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC), Syed Ali Gilani said on Friday that a strong Pakistan is “pre-requisite” for resolution of Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations and sacrifices of Kashmiri people.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, Syed Ali Gilani said the way Pakistan advocated for the rights of oppressed people of Kashmir had given a renewed strength to Kashmiris’ passion and spirit of freedom.
He said that Pakistan’s stand highlighted the issue of Kashmir across the world and reinforced the fact that Kashmir was not a territorial dispute between India and Pakistan, but an issue of over 13 million people, who are genuinely struggling for their birth and basic rights and are the most important party in the dispute.
“For this Mr. Prime Minister, we are thankful to you, Pakistan Army and the whole Pakistani nation,” he said and hoped that Pakistan would continue to pursue its strong policy on Kashmir in future as well.
Syed Ali Gilani said the case of Kashmiri people was strong and Pakistan’s principled position could lead India to be made accountable before the comity of nations and give up its obstinate policy.
He said the Kashmiris were not oblivious of the internal and external challenges faced by Pakistan, adding, “it is also a fact that Kashmiri people besides their own rights are also fighting for a strong Pakistan.”
The Chairman APHC said Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had termed Kashmir as the “jugular vein” of Pakistan because of its geographic and political importance.
He was of the view that it would be very dangerous, if Kashmir went into the hands of India permanently or if Pakistan retracted its stance.
Syed Ali Gilani said in this scenario, the freedom movement was linked to the struggle for defence of Pakistan, adding, the Kashmir movement was equally important for the people of both Pakistan and the oppressed Kashmiris.
He observed that factually, strong Pakistan was pre-requisite for resolution of Kashmir as per aspirations and sacrifices of the Kashmiri people. Without achieving this objective, the dream of Kashmir’s freedom could not be fulfilled, he added.
He believed that establishment of cordial and durable ties with neighboring countries of Afghanistan and Iran was the first step towards making Pakistan strong.
The Hurriyat leader hoped that under Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s leadership, Pakistan would head towards devising a strong foreign policy besides being able to cope with the internal threats.
He looked forward to Pakistan playing a key role to foil the Indian designs of establishing its hegemony in the region and undermining the position of other countries.
Talking about the role the prime minister could play in resolving the issue, the Hurriyat leader said, “Your personal efforts can prove vital to fulfilling this dream. If it happens, you will earn an important and unique status in history.”
He said Pakistan enjoyed extraordinary importance among the Muslims across the world, particularly, the Kashmiris, who pinned high hopes on it and looked to it with love and respect.
“We pray for security, stability, prosperity and peace of this country,” he added.
