KARACHI - Azad Jammu and Kashmir President Sardar Yaqoob Khan said on Monday that the main objective of the Kashmiris on two sides of Line of Control is freedom. Once it is achieved only then we can sit and decide to remain part of any of the country, he added, claiming Kashmir as a separate country. Speaking to the media during ‘Meet the Press’ programme of Karachi Press Club, he rejected the impression that the Pakistani government was considering a proposal to give status of province to the AJK. He declared that the people of the Kashmir would also not accept any such move, if it was planned. The AJK President vowed that their peaceful movement would continue until achievement of goal of independence.
He said that without their participation, the people of two sides of LoC would not accept any decision about their fortune. He praised the role of Pakistan for highlighting the issue of Kashmir and said that the people Kashmir had expectations from the present PPP government, which has given mega projects in Azad Kashmir. He claimed that with the help of PPP government, three universities and three medical colleges are being established in Kashmir besides three international airports.
He further said that President Asif Ali Zardari had expressed his willingness to start Kashmir International Airline, hoping this idea will be materialised soon. To a question, he said that struggle of Kashmiris was not affected due to militancy of Taliban and Osama Bin Laden as the people of Kashmir were on right path for their genuine right of freedom.
The AJK President expressed his concerns over law and order situation and loadshedding in Pakistan and advised the people to rise above the differences for the cause of Pakistan and support the continuation of democracy in the country. The industrialists of the Pakistan are shifting their investment in Bangladesh, Korea and other countries due to bad law and order situation and energy crisis.
AJK president extended the offer to the Pakistani industrialists to come to AJK and make investment in energy, tourism and other sectors because there is no issue of law and order in the state of Kashmir. He further said that 75 percent development projects had been completed in earthquake affected areas of the Kashmir, hoping that Pakistani government would continue its support to complete the rehabilitation of the affectees. He said that Pakistan and India were currently engaged in discussion on various issues including Kashmir, adding that the Pakistan government has not briefed them about the discussion so far.
The AJK president confidently said that people of the Kashmir would achieve their objective of the independence through peaceful struggle and dialogue as there is no substitute of talks in 21st century. He demanded of the Sindh government to ensure the quota of jobs in government sector for the Kashmiris living in Karachi and other parts of the province. Later, on behalf of AJK government, AJK President Sardari Yaqoob handed over a cheque of Rs0.2 million to the office-bearers of the Karachi Press Club.
The Nation, July 2012.
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