ISLAMABAD - Former AJK Prime Minister and central leader of PPP Azad Jammu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhary on Saturday urged the need for evolving national consensus over Kashmir issue keeping in view present geopolitical situation in the region. “We cannot only meet the present challenges faced by the country but also achieve our desired goals by evolving the consensus,” he made these remarks while addressing a huge gathering of PPP workers at Irani Hall in Dubai, says a press release issued here. PPP UAE leader Raja Sajid presided over the public gathering while former member Kashmir Council, Chaudhary Hameed Pothi, Chairman, Ulema, Mushaikh Wing, Hafiz Tariq and others also spoke on the occasion.
Barrister Sultan Mehmood said it was need of the hour that entire nation should stand shoulder to shoulder with government and armed forces and assured that Kashmiris would support them.
He said that Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto laid the foundation of PPP when the Kashmir issue was being put in cold storage under the guise of Tashkent agreement. The country had been divided into two parts but he (Bhutto) gave new direction to the country with giving it a new constitution as well as holding the Islamic Conference.
Sultan said, Bhutto made Pakistan’s defence impregnable and started nuclear programme that frustrated Indian expansionist designs.
Similarly, he said, Benazir Bhutto launched missile technology programme and now President Asif Ali Zardari is taking country to new era of development and progress.
Sultan said that he was trying to unite expatriate Kashmiris and Pakistanis during his visits to the US, Britain, Europe, Far East and now Middle East during last three months so that they could play their positive role to highlight Kashmir issue at international forum. He vowed to continue his struggle for just resolution of Kashmir issue and grant of right to self-determination to Kashmiris.