Pakistan’s future linked to resolution of Kashmir dispute: Gilani

Bagh -  Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has said the future of the country is closely linked to the resolution of the Kashmir dispute and assured complete political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris till their complete freedom.
 
Addressing a public gathering at Bagh, Gilani said that Pakistan citizens and Azad Kashmir were two bodies, but one soul in real terms, enjoying complete unanimity of views on religious, cultural, ethnic, historical and geographical facets of life.
 
Describing Kashmiris and Pakistani citizens as an integral part of each other, Gilani said resolution of the Kashmir dispute was at the core of the creation of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

He said Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto laid the foundation of the party as he had differences with General Ayub Khan on the issue of Kashmir. Gilani recalled that Zulfiqar Bhutto had vowed to launch a war spanning over thousand years to liberate Kashmir.
 
Gilani claimed that successful policies of the government had improved the lives of millions of people, The Daily Times reports.
 
He said that the PPP had also met a resounding success in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
 
Gilani said Zulfiqar Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto had taken numerous landmark decisions to bring about a positive change in the lives of people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
 
He added the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Council and the Azad Jammu Kashmir Legislative Assembly had the powers to enact laws for the local populace and take important decisions.

Gilani highlighted that the government has taken steps such as easing of rules for the issuance of national identity cards and passports to the residents of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, two per cent quota for its employees in the federal government, national pay scales and seats for students from Neelum and Leepa valley for the welfare of the people.
 
He said that the Zulfiqar had also set up Special Communications Organisation (SCO) to ensure linkage of far-off areas, besides seeking support from the World Bank, World Food Programme for launching development programmes in the area.