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Global perception on Kashmir changing, says Sultan

ISLAMABAD: AJK Prime minister, Barrister Sultan Mehmood said on Wednesday that the international perception on Kashmir is changing and there are indications that world leaders are ready to play their role in peaceful resolution of the Kashmir dispute.

It was evident from US President, Bill Clinton's address at the world economic forum in Switzerland in which he stressed the need of resolving the Kashmir issue and also the enhanced interest being taken by international media in Kashmir situation, he added.

Talking to an Egyptian journalist, Mujahid Malik, who called on him in the Prime Minister's House on Wednesday, the AJK PM said Kashmiri people are fighting for the cause of Islam and so far they have sacrificed over 70,000 lives in this Jihad.

He said the Indian government is committing inhuman atrocities on Kashmiris, adding, the AJK government has been successful in exposing the Indian atrocities and human rights violations in Indian occupied Kashmir at international level.

In this respect, Sultan said, he himself made several foreign visits and during the meetings with international intellectuals, opinion leaders and media people, he highlighted the Kashmir issue in historical perspective and the necessity of resolving this dispute, adding, our efforts made positive impact.

The AJK PM said the Islamic world should play in active and partial role in resolving the Kashmir dispute, adding, in this regard, the resolutions of the Organisation of Islamic Conference are also there.

He said in the fast changing world environment the Islamic world is required to take practical steps on this issue, stop India from committing atrocities on Kashmiris and push for resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions.

Sultan said the recent statements by Chief Executive General Pervez Musharraf have encouraged the Kashmiris, adding, this is for the first time that Pakistan government is in practical participating in the functions of solidarity day.

He said the situation is fast changing and there is also a change in the thinking of Indian scholars as Indian print media and intellectuals are openly calling for the resolution of Kashmir dispute. APP