GEO 436 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has always desired purposeful dialogue with India to resolve outstanding issue including the core issue of Kashmir, said Minister for Foreign Affairs, Shah Mahmood Qureshi. Briefing National Assembly about the government's Kashmir Policy on a private member motion on Tuesday, Qureshi said, "we are trying to find out a durable resolution of issues as well as cover the damages done to foreign policy during previous regime." Reiterating Pakistan's policy on Kashmir problem, he said, "we want just and peaceful resolution of Kashmir issue in light of the United Nations resolutions and according to aspirations of Kashmiri people." "It was also agreed in Sharm el-Sheikh between the two Prime Ministers that dialogue is the only way forward," he added. "We are firm to our stance and shall continue extending moral, diplomatic and political support to Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination. It is our principle stand on Kashmir and we shall continue efforts for a durable and peaceful resolution of this issue," he added. However, he reiterated that no solution to Kashmir issue will be durable until the Kashmiris are made part of it. "Any dialogue thereon between India and Pakistan shall be incomplete without participation of Kashmiri people." Qureshi said, Kashmir issue is cornerstone of our foreign policy. "We cannot be oblivious to it. But, we desire a peaceful resolution through dialogue. That is the only way forward." Briefing the House on government's Kashmir policy, Shah Mehmood Qureshi said after Mumbai tragedy on November 26, 2008, the process of composite dialogue was suspended and but prior to that in June, same year, he took up Kashmir issue with India in New Delhi. Prior to Mumbai tragedy, he said, a fifth round of composite dialogue was initiated that also featured Kashmir issue and both President Asif Ali Zardari and Indian Premier Manmohan Singh, in a meeting, had agreed for continuation and deepening of peaceful dialogue for resolution of Kashmir. Later in a meeting between both the Prime Ministers of Pakistan and India, Pakistan presented Kashmir case successfully and Indian premier had to face severe criticism in his country over agreeing to discuss all issues and meeting of foreign secretaries. Mentioning to a meeting with Indian foreign minister, Qureshi said, "I gave a roadmap for engagements during the time when the dialogue was suspended. Though agreed that the dialogue should be resumed, he pledged to be back after consultation with his leadership, but he didn't". However, he said both India and Pakistan acted maturely and did not stop CBMs including the ceasefire on LoC, uninterrupted bus service, started cross LoC trade and sent a delegation of AJK Chamber of Commerce and Industry to Occupied Kashmir and both sides agreed to form a federation. The Foreign Minister stated that the government is in constant touch with the Kashmiri leadership on both sides as it believes that the durable solution to the issue is not possible without involving the real Kashmiri leadership. "Mirwaiz visited Pakistan from 21 to 25 June, 2008 and I have recently written letters to the Kashmiri leadership in Occupied Kashmir inviting them to visit Pakistan and hold consultations," he said and added that we must admit the ground realities to resolve this lingering issue seriously. The Minister categorically stated that Kashmir is not only the issue for the government but it is Pakistan's issue and there is need to ensure continuity of policy to resolve the issue. He offered the members National Assembly, including opposition members to come up with suggestions and queries on Kashmir and water issues and he would be more than ready to answer queries and act on suggestions. Qureshi maintained that some situations have started emerging in Occupied Kashmir, mentioning to Amarnath Land issue, economic blockade in Jammu and the Shopian incident, which are all indigenous. Quoting the a report by the US State Department, he said that the document criticized India on the gross human rights violation in Occupied Kashmir which unveiled the so-called democratic face of Indian government.
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