ISLAMABAD: Pakistan wants a "sustained and result-oriented" engagement with India to find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue that could usher in peace and stability in the region, President Asif Ali Zardari told a visiting Hurriyat delegation today.
"Pakistan firmly believes in a meaningful, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India that could lead to a permanent solution of the Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of its people," Zardari said during a meeting with the leaders of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Karachi.
Finding an "amicable and just solution" to all outstanding issues, including Kashmir, is "important for Pakistan and India to ensure lasting peace, stability and development in the region", Zardari said.
Zardari has been camping in Karachi to oversee preparations by the ruling Pakistan People's Party to mark the upcoming death anniversary of former premier Benazir Bhutto and the Hurriyat delegation led by Miwaiz Umar Farooq travelled to the southern port city after a series of meetings with top political leaders in Islamabad.
During the meeting, Zardari reiterated Pakistan's resolve to "continue extending all political, moral and diplomatic support" to Kashmiris' demand for their "legitimate right".
Zardari recalled his meeting with Farooq on sidelines of UN General Assembly in New York in September and termed Pakistan's engagement with Hurriyat as a positive development.
He urged the world community to "focus its attention towards the troubles of Kashmiri people".
Zardari's son Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, who is expected to lead PPP's campaign for next general election, was present during the meeting, also attended by Kashmir Affairs Minister Manzoor Ahmad Wattoo and Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani.
Late last night, the Hurriyat delegation called on Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who assured the separatist leaders of "Pakistan's unflinching and unwavering support to the Kashmir cause", said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.
Khar said there was "complete unanimity in Pakistan on the Kashmir issue" and the country remains committed to a just and peaceful resolution of the issue in accordance with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiris.
"Pakistan had always emphasised that the Kashmiris should be associated with the dialogue process," she said.
The Hurriyat delegation has said its interactions in Pakistan are aimed at finding ways to boost the dialogue on the Kashmir issue. Farooq has insisted that the Kashmiris should be included in the dialogue between India and Pakistan.
During the meeting with Khar last night, the Hurriyat team expressed its support for the India-Pakistan dialogue process and stressed the need for involving Kashmiris in it.
Hurriyat leaders suggested some new proposals for cross-Line of Control CBMs.
Pak for permanent solution of Kashmir issue: Zardari
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Pak for permanent solution of Kashmir issue: Zardari
