The Prime Minister in a message said Kashmir issue would remain the corner-stone of Pakistan’s foreign policy and Pakistan would seek the solution of Kashmir issue through dialogue.
“We are committed to continue with the moral, political and diplomatic support to Kashmiris. The whole nation including all the political parties are united on Kashmir cause,” PM Gillani, added.
The Premier’s message was read out by the Pakistan Ambassador in Bahrain Jauhar Saleem at an event held at the Pakistan Embassy premises in Diplomatic Area Manama marking the Kashmir Solidarity Day and attended by large community members.
The Prime Minister said Kashmir policy had been in focus of the PPP-led government in line with the vision of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, as the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) was founded on the cause of Kashmir. Gilani said the success of PPP in the Azad Kashmir elections was also dividend of the party’s policy on Kashmir and the support to Kashmiris, adding, observing February 5th as Kashmir Solidarity Day was the initiative of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and was given permanency by Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto. The Prime Minister, however, added that since Pakistan is a responsible country and nation as well as a responsible nuclear power, it has to make responsible policies. Gilani said with four wars already fought on this issue (Kashmir), the region still was a flash-point. “But in this 21st century, we cannot afford wars.”
“We want to resolve the issues through dialogue, diplomacy, prudent policy and national consensus,” he remarked. The Prime Minister said the country’s policies should be made with national consensus and by the chosen representatives of masses and not by the individuals.
PM Gillani cited the best policy of Pakistan-China friendship and said the whole nation was united on it and wanted to take this friendship forward, adding, like in the case of Pakistan’s policy on China, there was no difference of opinion on Kashmir cause. The Prime Minister, however, mentioned that there were question-marks in Pakistan’s policy on Afghanistan, as it was made by a dictator, who was wearing four hats: the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Army Staff, the President and Chief Executive, but could not sustain the pressure after a call from the US Under Secretary. In contrast, he added, after the November 26, 2011 attack on Pakistani border posts, the whole nation under the democratic government stood united and solid and “we halted NATO supply line, got the Shamsi Airbase vacated and boycotted the Bonn Conference.”