Kashmir a matter of life and death for Pakistan: Fazl

KARACHI - Maulana Fazlur Rahman, head of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (F), has said that Kashmir dispute is a matter of life and death for Pakistan. It should be resolved according to the United Nations resolutions; he said this while speaking at a seminar on Kashmiris Right of Self Determination held on Wednesday. The programme was organised by the Department of International Relations, Karachi University (KU), under its Program on Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution on 28th April 2010. He said that Kashmir was of utmost importance for Pakistan. While giving reference to China, he elaborated that China has been single-mindedly pursuing its case for Taiwan. Much can be learnt from Chinese experience. Unfortunately Pakistans foreign policy is not truly reflective of consistency that a matter like Kashmir deserves and requires. A successful foreign policy is always backed by strong economic position. Pakistan must move forward economically so that it can provide necessary support for its foreign policy priorities. The people of Kashmir enlivened Kashmiri movement with their sacrifices but the Simla Pact diluted the very international nature of Kashmir dispute. There have been several solutions for the Kashmir problem but the best one will be one that is based upon peaceful accommodation between the two countries, he said. After 9/11 Pakistans Kashmir policy suffered great setbacks, he said. He said, Today this problem was no longer Kashmir oriented. It is now a problem of Pakistans existence for Pakistans agriculture has been facing direct consequences of water terrorism by India. The former ambassador of Pakistan Mehdi Masood also spoke on the occasion. He said that International Law, International morality and right of self-determination favour the just cause of Kashmiris. He said that internal weaknesses inevitably reflect themselves in weak foreign policy decisions. The acting vice chancellor and Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr Shahana Urooj Kazmi said that Moulana Fazlur Rehmans arrival at University of Karachi was no less than a privilege. She said that the government should make policies which should promote science and technology so that our country could develop itself educationally and industrially. While giving vote of thanks Professor Dr Saleem Memon, Dean Faculty of Arts, said that holding of such seminars on topics of national and global importance are a sign of intellectual vibrancy. He appreciated the Department of International Relations for steadily pursuing academic activities despite many odds. Prof Dr Moonis Ahmar, Chairman Department of International Relations, KU, said in his welcome address that the problem of Kashmir is a human one. He emphasized upon peaceful solution for the Kashmir problem. He said that the solution to Kashmir problem could fundamentally alter the lives of more than one billion people in South Asia. He lighted the fact that apart from the lip service, practical measures should be taken towards the direction of Kashmirs resolution because the absence of peace has proved to be detrimental to the common interests of common people in South Asia. MMA meeting on May 6 Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) Chief, Maulana Fazalur Rehman, on Wednesday said that the meeting to restore the religious parties alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) would hold on May 6 at Islamabad. Talking to the journalists after meeting with Ismat Siddiqui, the mother of detained Pakistan scientist Dr Aafia Siddiqui, at her residence, Maulana Fazalur Rehman said that the meeting would evaluate the past mistakes of religious alliance and prepare future plan. He said that the return of Pakistani scientist from the US detention is a question of nations honour, saying that the government has not yet taken a bold step for the release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui from the detention of United States. To a question, the JUI-F chief questioned the governments reluctance to accept Iran and Chinas offer to supply cheap electricity.