Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday said Pakistan would never abandon Kashmiris and desired a solution of the issue through dialogue and according to the aspirations of its people.
"We have always been with you and will always remain with you let there be no doubt," he told representatives of Kashmiris soon after his arrival on a three-day official visit to United Kingdom.
Shaukat Aziz announced holding of an international convention of Kashmiris from across the globe in Pakistan soon, to seek their suggestions and find options for a permanent solution of the lingering dispute.
The Prime Minister, reiterating the proposals of demilitarisation and self-governance in Kashmir made earlier by President General Pervez Musharraf, said "We are ready even today to pull back our troops from the LoC, provided India does the same from its territory."
He pointed that there were over 700,000 troops in the valley and there was a need to demilitarise the area, turning it into a tension-free region for its people.
The Prime Minister in his interaction with the representatives of the UK-based Kashmiris said, "there may be different paths to reach the solution, but objective of all is the same." Shaukat Aziz urged Kashmiris to maintain unity amongst their ranks and to raise the matter forcefully, with one voice and adopt a unanimous stand on the matter.
He said the issue has been raised at all important international fora and President Musharraf in his talks with President George W Bush urged the US to play its role in resolution of Kashmir dispute that would lead to lasting peace in South Asia. The gathering also offered Fateha for those killed in the earthquake.
Shaukat Aziz also informed the Kashmiris about the recent decision by the Economic Co-ordination Council to set up a dry port at Mirpur, Azad Kashmir.
Earlier, talking to reporters at the Heathrow Airport soon after his arrival here Shaukat Aziz said his visit to Britain was aimed at promoting economic, political and defence relations between the two countries.
He was warmly welcomed by Pakistan's High Commissioner to London Dr Maleeha Lodhi, British High Commissioner in Islamabad Mark Lyall Grant, Pakistan's Deputy High Commissioner Abdul Basit, senior civil and military officials of the High Commission and representative of British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Anne Morrison. Shaukat said that in his talks with British Prime Minister Tony Blair on Monday he would discuss economic issues, anti-terrorism drive both in Pakistan and Britain, blasphemous sketches and different Pakistani proposals on the issue of Kashmir.
The Prime Minister said he would also have talks with British ministers on the issue of Kashmir so that there should be some "headway" on the issue.
Referring to international conference "Asia 2015-Promoting Growth, Ending Poverty", being co-hosted by British Department for International Development (DFID), Asian Development Bank and the World Bank here on Monday, Shaukat Aziz said his selection to be a keynote speaker there, was an honour because the moot was being attended by delegates from all over Asia. The Prime Minister said he would use this platform to project the country's image and brief the delegates about the economic situation in Pakistan and policies of the government.
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