Pakistan PM for dialogue with India to resolve Kashmir issue

Muzaffarabad, Apr 30 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today said his country wants to hold constructive and purposeful dialogue with India to resolve the Kashmir issue.

He was addressing the joint session of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Legislative Assembly and PoK Council in Muzaffarabad.

This was his first visit to Muzaffarabad and maiden address to the Legislative Assembly since assuming office last month.

He said,'' Kashmiris have made unprecedented sacrifices for the last 60 years which is a golden chapter of history.'' He expressed the hope that ''their sacrifice would see results.'' History itself, he said, is a ''testimony of the truth that the United Nations has given commitment to Kashmiri people to grant them their fundamental rights.'' The Prime Minister said Pakistan has'' been endeavouring to establish peace not only in South Asia but also the whole world.'' Addressing the joint session, leader of the opposition Sardar Qamaruz Zaman called for resolution of the Kashmir issue ''through taking into confidence the political leadership on both sides of the Line of Control.'' Pakistan and India, which resumed their long stalled peace talks in January 2004, have already concluded the fourth round of their composite dialogue. Pakistan and Indian foreign secretaries and Foreign Ministers are due to meet in Islamabad for review meetings at the end of the fourth round on May 20 and 21.

The leader of the house in PoK Assembly and 'Prime Minister' Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said, Kashmir is'' not a territorial issue but is a question of granting right to self-determination to Kashmiri people.'' He said,'' peace of South Asia is directly linked with the resolution of Kashmir issue.'' UNI XC AM RP ND1935