Pakistani president denies sell-out of nuclear assets
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
Islamabad, Feb 5, IRNA -- Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf on Thursday categorically ruled out any `sell-out` of the country`s vital interests in Kashmir and its nuclear assets. He was addressing the joint sitting of Legislative Assembly of the Pakistan-controlled Kashmir in Muzaffarabad on the occasion of the Kashmir Solidarity Day. "There is a linkage between confidence-building measures and composite dialogue process between Pakistan and India for the resolution of Kashmir issue," General Musharraf said. He said he had told this to the Indian prime minister and the world leaders that there would be no progress in relations between Pakistan and India if there was no movement for the resolution of the Kashmir problem. He assured the Kashmiri leaders and the people that there could be no solution of Kashmir problem without their participation but pointed out that this would have to be acceptable to Pakistan and India. "Till the Kashmir problem is resolved Pakistan will continue its moral and diplomatic support to their just cause," he said. Musharraf said that in his view the people would know if there was any progress for the solution of Kashmir problem during the current year. He said the whole world recognizes that unless there is progress on Kashmir there can be no further movement in confidence-building measures between Pakistan and India. "Pakistan favors trade and commerce and people-to-people contact but unless the Kashmir problem is resolved there can be no further progress," he said. He referred to the joint statement issued after his meeting with the Indian Prime Minister Attal Behari Vajpayee during the SAARC summit in Islamabad. "For the first time it has been recognized that Kashmir is a problem and has to be resolved and that Pakistan is a party to this problem," Musharraf said. According to the Pakistani president, Kashmir issue can be resolved through a four-step approach namely by beginning dialogue, accepting Kashmir as a problem, eliminating those possible solutions which are not acceptable to India-Pakistan and Kashmiris and then practicing flexibility by both Indian and Pakistani sides in order to work on the remaining possible solutions. Musharraf said the first two steps have already been taken and talks between the two countries will begin from 16th of this month. "Both sides will have to show flexibility to arrive at a solution of the Kashmir problem," he said. He said that on several occasions he had categorically stated that Pakistani territory would not be allowed to be used for terrorist activities. He, however, said there was a difference between freedom struggles and terrorism. "This is the time for Kashmiris to show solidarity," Musharraf said, adding that he has full confidence in the Kashmiri people and their leaders that they will show unity and not diversity. "Kashmiris must remain united," he said. Pakistan, Musharraf said, has always invited Kashmiris from across the Line of Control to visit Pakistan but they must respond with unanimity. The president said that certain elements were indulging in acts of terrorism in the name of Jihad in Afghanistan and Kashmir. "The government would not allow their activities as they are causing harm to Pakistan." He asked such elements not to defame Jihad and end such activities; otherwise they would be dealt with sternly. He also announced a development grant of 140 million rupees for projects in all twenty-eight constituencies of Azad Kashmir assembly. "Each constituency will get five million rupees for development projects," he said. The Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan, Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan, Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chouhdary and speaker of the Azad Kashmir Assembly also spoke on the occasion. /TSH/BH/210 End
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