Govt to pursue Kashmir issue at int’l fora till resolution: PM

Govt to pursue Kashmir issue at int’l fora till resolution: PM

DADYAL,(AJK), Oct 13 (APP): Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani Thursday said that Kashmir cause was close to his heart and vowed that the Pakistan Peoples Party’s government would continue to raise the issue at international fora till its resolution. He was addressing a large gathering here after inaugurating the Dhan Gali bridge linking Punjab with Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and the completion of Mangla Dam Raising Project. Prime Minister Gilani lauded the people living along the Mangla lake for sacrificing their ancestral lands for the project, which he said, would go a long way in national economic development.Gilani said it was his eighth visit to the AJK and recalled that he had promised not to announce any development project during the election campaign to ensure free and fair electoral process.
He said he believed Kashmir to be his second home and assured that he would continue to work for the betterment of its people and provision of best possible facilities at their doorsteps.
He said the PPP was founded by Zulfikar Ali Bhutto on the basis of Kashmir issue after he raised his voice against a dictator in Tashkent, for Kashmiris’ right to self-determination.
Prime Minister Gilani said he was pleased to inaugurate two very vital projects of Kashmir and said these would usher in an era of prosperity and economic development for the people of the area.
He particularly appreciated AJK’s present and former leadership sitting at the dais side by side and said it was a symbol of their political maturity, unification and solidarity. He said such unity would go a long way in serving the masses.
Prime Minister Gilani announced an Information Technology University at Kotli and a Cadet College at Dadyal. He directed that the people belonging to the AJK, be appointed at Pakistan’s embassies abroad.
He also announced for setting up a special desk at the Islamabad Airport to facilitate the people from Azad Kashmir.
He directed Chairman Baitul Maal Zamurrad Khan to open a ‘Sweet Home’ for the orphan children of the area.
Prime Minister Gilani appreciated the youth, leadership and workers of the Pakistan Peoples Party for organising a huge gathering that reflected the deep roots of party amongst these people.
Minister for Kashmir Affairs Mian Manzoor Watoo, President AJK Sardar Muhammad Yaqub Khan and Prime minister Chaudhry Abdul Majeed spoke on the occasion.
Governor Punjab Latif Khosa and Minister for Water and Power Syed Naveed Qamar were also present. Former AJK president Raja Zulqurnain and former prime ministers Sardar Attiq Ahmad and Barrister Sultan Mahmood also joined them.