Pak Parliamentary Kashmir Committee on Kashmir while showing concern over the construction of dams by Indian on Pakistani rivers

Parliamentary committee for not ignoring Kashmir dispute in Pak-India dialogue
South Asian News Agency (SANA April 17, 2012
LAHORE, (SANA): The members of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee on Kashmir while showing concern over the construction of dams by Indian on Pakistani rivers said that this crucial issue should not be ignored in dialogue process with India. The committee has asked India to withdraw its forces from the Jammu Kashmir and should give right of self determination to Kashmiris and should withdraw draconian law enforced in JK.
This was said in the first ever meeting of the Kashmir Committee which was held in Lahore instead of Islamabad; meanwhile the meeting was attended by members of Kashmir committee and Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif. In the meeting the dialogue process between Pakistan and India and specially the Kashmir issue was discussed.
Kashmir Committee Chairman Maulana Fazalur Rehman has demanded the government to review Kashmir policy, adding that first Kashmir issue at the top of the foreign policy but now it has gone to background; meanwhile Chief Minister Punjab Mian Shahbaz Sharif has said the issues of Kashmir and water between Pakistan and India should be addressed for the peace of the region.
The members of the Parliamentary Kashmir Committee held meeting with Shahbaz Sharif at the CM house and after the meeting addressing a joint press conference along with Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif, Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that Kashmir struggle is for emancipation of wretched of earth from cruel clutches of oppressors; so the people of Kashmir should not be taken as terrorists.
He said that the due to war on the western borders the Kashmir dispute has been sent in background.
Maulana Fazalur Rehman said that it was the first meeting of the committee with any provincial chief minister, adding that all are of the same opinion that the strong and stable Pakistan could play vital role for the solution of the Kashmir Pakistan, adding that weak economic condition of Pakistan and deteriorating law and order situation of Pakistan could result in weakening of Kashmir issue and desperation of Kashmiris. Pakistan has not made serious endeavours to resolve Kashmir issue, he said.
He said that the issue of Kashmir has been neglected in current foreign policy, adding that the water problems should also be discussed whenever the Kashmir issue comes under discussion. He said that the Kashmiris should be taken into confidence regarding the Kashmir issue, adding that the dialogue process on Kashmir was sabotaged by starting Kargil war, adding that dictator also continued dialogue on Kashmir while visiting Agra.
He made it clear that restoration of NATO supply has not been approved by the recommendations tabled in the parliament, adding that these recommendations only deal with permanently stopping the supply.
Shahbaz Sharif said that water and Kashmir are challenging problems which could not be resolved unless and until we reform our internal shortcomings and deficiencies. He said that hundreds and thousands of Muslims rendered sacrifices for the creation of Pakistan, adding that war were also fought by Pakistan and India, which resulted in great destruction.
He said that both countries could help each other for the prosperity of the region, adding that he has already stated that the problems between two countries would not be solved through bilateral visits and trade, adding that the core issues of Kashmir and water are necessary to be addressed between the two counties; otherwise the clouds of war would continue to hover on both countries and any time war could start.
He said that instead of begging from foreigners we should first remove shortcomings present in us.
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