President General Pervez Musharraf has stated his four-point proposal on Kashmir, combined with sincerity and goodwill, which could provide a durable solution to break the decades-old deadlock over the dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.
In a message on Kashmir Solidarity Day, the President said that the 'Confidence-Building Measures' (CBMs) on Kashmir "are an attempt" to bring relief to the people on both sides of the divided territory. He said that Pakistan and India have embarked upon a sustained dialogue process on Kashmir.
"My four-point proposal on Kashmir is also aimed at breaking the decades-old deadlock and, given sincerity and goodwill, could provide a durable solution that genuinely reflects the aspirations of all Kashmiris," he said.
On the Kashmir Day, the President said: "Our hearts go out to the families of more than 80,000 Kashmiris who lost their lives in upholding the ideals of freedom and liberty."
"I want to reassure all Kashmiris that, ultimately, it is their wishes that would guide us as we pursue a just and honourable settlement of this tragic dispute."
The President said that Pakistanis and Kashmiris all over the world pay tribute to their sacrifices with the firm commitment to work tirelessly for the inherent rights of the people of Kashmir to determine their own destiny.
"We owe it to our future generations to find an amicable and honourable settlement so that peace and tranquillity can finally prevail in the region," he said.
"Our children should never again live in the fear or mistrust, but should be nurtured in an environment where honour, dignity and freedom of all is assured," he added.
President Musharraf referred to the visit of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference leaders to Pakistan and said it was part of this process and in line with the endeavour to associate Kashmiri people's representatives with the dialogue process.
"Today, we honour our martyrs with the pledge to spare no effort in our quest to win back to Kashmir its lost glory and to make it a citadel of peace and harmony," the President added.
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz while stressing on the importance of a just solution to the lingering Kashmir dispute for durable peace in the South Asia has stated that `rigidity and aggression must give way to accommodation and flexibility.'
In a message on the Kashmir Solidarity Day, the prime minister said, while Pakistan is pursuing a sustained dialogue with India for a peaceful resolution of this dispute in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people, it needs to be emphasised that the process would be meaningless unless it brings a qualitative change in the lives of ordinary Kashmiris.
"Rigidity and aggression must give way to accommodation and flexibility", he said.
Shaukat Aziz said Kashmiris were among the first to be promised their rights to self-determination by the international community through unanimously adopted UN Resolutions, adding but more than half a century later these commitments remain unfulfilled.
"Peace would continue to elude South Asia till the international community and India honour its pledges. The Kashmiris, guided by their unshakeable faith in their just cause would continue to resist all forms of oppression. It is this faith and courage that we honour today", he added.
The prime minister said: "We observe Kashmir Solidarity Day every year to express our unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic commitment to the just struggle of our Kashmiri brothers and sisters for their inalienable right to self-determination."
He said the day is also an occasion to pay tribute to the countless sacrifices of the valiant Kashmiris who have remained resolute and steadfast in their quest for self-determination despite a history of oppression spanning six decades.
He said Pakistan would continue to vigorously pursue a solution based on the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
"We are in no doubt that ultimately, Kashmiris would be the final arbiter of their destiny and no plan would succeed that does not reflect this reality", he added.
The prime minister also reaffirmed to the Kashmiri brothers and sisters that Pakistan is steadfast in its support for their cause. "We are confident that today's repression and injustice would give way to peace and tranquillity and the forces for justice and freedom shall prevail...Insha-Allah," said Shaukat.
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