Kashmiris have right to self-determination
Local Friday, August 14th, 2009Kashmiris have the right to self-determination and the people of Pakistan will continue providing political and moral support to the Kashmiris, Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer said on Wednesday.
He told Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Sardar Muhammad Yaboob Khan during a meeting at Governor’s House that trade between India and Pakistan was the best means to promote interaction between Kashmiris. He said Pakistan would continue to support the oppressed Kashmiris in their struggle, adding, “The biggest support for them would be to mitigate their sufferings and difficulties.”
Top priority: Taseer said Kashmir was a UN-recognised dispute, adding it had to be resolved as per the aspirations of the people of Kashmir so that they could lead their lives in an atmosphere of peace and freedom. He said the quota for Kashmiri students in Punjab’s professional educational institutions would be increased and made permanent. He suggested the AJK government grant top priority to computerising the land record to promote investment. He also proposed affiliating the Kashmir bank with a national or international bank to allow it to open new branches in Pakistan and other countries. He urged the AJK government to set up an insurance company affiliated with a well-established company to provide protection for investors.
Expressing gratitude to the people of Pakistan for their continued support to Kashmiris, the AJK premier said the people of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) wanted to accede to Pakistan. He said President Asif Ali Zardari had taken keen interest in the development and betterment of Kashmiris, adding all projects requested by the AJK government had been promptly approved. He said there was great opportunity for investment in the AJK, adding the government planned to fully exploit this potential.
Khan said the federal government had allocated Rs 2.5 billion for the Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) to impart technical training to the Kashmiri youth; Rs 5.5 billion under the Piyara Kashmir Project for development projects; and Rs 8.8 billion for rehabilitation of the border area.
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on Aug 14 2009. Filed under