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Sunday, Aug 27, 2006

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Committed to Kashmir: Musharraf

Nirupama Subramanian

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir President wants India to show sincerity

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf on Saturday reaffirmed Pakistan's unwavering commitment to the cause of Kashmir and said the Government would continue to provide diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmiris for resolution of the dispute in accordance with their wishes.

He was talking to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir President Raja Zulqarnain Khan who called on him a day after he was sworn in at Muzaffarabad. Mr. Khan praised Gen. Musharraf's efforts at highlighting the Kashmir issue at major international and regional forums.

Serious consideration

Speaking after his swearing-in on Friday, Mr. Khan asked India to show sincerity in solving the Kashmir issue, and give serious consideration to Gen. Musharraf's proposals on how to go about it.

The President, who was elected by the new PoK Legislative Assembly, gave assurances to Kashmiris on the other side of the Line of Control that no stone would be left unturned to bring them their freedom.

He praised Gen. Musharraf's proposals of joint control, demilitarisation and self-governance, and regretted that New Delhi had sabotaged the peace process alleging Islamabad's involvement in the Mumbai blasts.

Mr. Khan said India should review its decision.

"It is essential for the Indian leadership to show sincerity for finding an honourable solution to the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiris," he said.

Pakistan has alleged a ceasefire violation by Indian troops along the LoC. According to reports, an unnamed official of the Inter-Services Public Relations said a 40-year-old woman was injured by sniper fire from across the LoC in Nakyal sub-sector of Kotli district in PoK. The ISPR alleged it was the second ceasefire violation.

The first was reported on August 15 when Indian troops are alleged to have opened machine-gun fire injuring two brothers in Abbaspur sector of Poonch district.

India denied the first allegation saying there had been no such incident.

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