PoK President asks India to show sincerity

Muzaffarabad, Aug 26: Newly-elected Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) President Raja Zulqarnain Khan has urged India to demonstrate sincerity to find a solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris.

''It's essential for the Indian leadership to show sincerity for finding an honourable solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris. It should also give serious consideration to President Pervez Musharraf's suggestions of joint control, demilitarisation and self-governance,'' said Mr Khan in a speech after taking oath as President at the PoK Legislative Assembly here yesterday.

In his speech on the occasion, the 73-year-old President expressed his views on a number of issues, including the peace process between India and Pakistan, reconstruction of the quake-hit areas and the recent elections in PoK.

''We fully support peace process in the region and hope it will engender a solution to the Kashmir issue that reflects the sentiments of the people of this state,'' he said.

He regretted that India had ''sabotaged'' the peace process on the pretext of Pakistan's alleged involvement in the July 11 Mumbai blasts.

Since those accusations had been proven as unfounded, the Indian leadership should review its decision to stall the peaceful process, he said.

Mr Khan also spoke high of Gen Musharraf's Kashmir policy, saying it had opened new avenues for settlement of the long-standing dispute.

''The suggestions of President Musharraf enjoy the support of majority in Kashmir and they have provided an opportunity to the Indian leadership to move forward,'' he said, expressing the hope that India would rise to the occasion.

He assured the Kashmiris on the other side of the LoC that no stone would be left unturned to bring 'freedom' to them.

Rejecting the allegations of rigging in the July 11 elections by the Kashmiri opposition parties, he said the democratic system in PoK had been completed following free, fair and impartial elections wherein people had chosen their representatives of their own free will.

UNI

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