ISLAMABAD: Lauding the principled stand taken by Pakistan on national security level talks with India, Syed Ali Geelani, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) Chairman stated that a strong Pakistan is a “prerequisite” for resolution of the Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations of Kashmiri people.
“The way Pakistan advocated for the rights of the oppressed people of Kashmir had given a renewed strength to the Kashmiris’ passion and spirit of freedom,” Geelani said in a letter to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
He said it was because of this stand that the Kashmir issue was highlighted across the world and the fact that Kashmir was not a territorial dispute, rather an issue of over 13 million people who were genuinely struggling for their birth and basic right and were the most important party in the Kashmir dispute, was reinforced.
“For this Mr prime minister, we are thankful to you, the Pakistan Army and the entire Pakistani nation”, he said, hoping that Pakistan would continue to pursue its strong policy on Kashmir.
Geelani further said that the case of Kashmiri people was strong and Pakistan’s principled position could lead India to be held accountable before the comity of nations and give up its obstinate policy.
He added that Kashmiris were not oblivious of the internal and external challenges faced by Pakistan, but it was also a fact that besides their own rights they were also fighting for a strong Pakistan.
Recalling that Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had once termed Kashmir as a “jugular vein” of Pakistan given its geographic and political importance, Geelani expressed that it would be extremely dangerous if Kashmir is handed over to India permanently or if Pakistan retracts from its stance.
The APHC leader said in this scenario, the freedom movement was linked to the struggle for defence of Pakistan, adding that the Kashmir movement was equally important for the people of Pakistan, as well as oppressed Kashmiris.
Geelani, in the letter prayed for God’s help in “our struggle for freedom of occupied Kashmir as well as completion and defence of Pakistan”.
Further, he stated that a strong Pakistan remains a ‘prerequisite’ for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute, without which the dream of the state’s freedom could not be fulfilled.
As the leader observed that cordial and durable ties between Afghanistan and Iran were the first step towards a strong Pakistan, he also ensured that Pakistan’s “personal efforts can prove vital to fulfill Kashmir’s dream of achieving freedom.”
