Former AJK Prime Minister Barrister Sultan Mahmood has urged New Delhi to start withdrawing troops from cities of the Indian Occupied Kashmir to provide relief to the Kashmiri people.
He said the Kashmiris have always supported Pakistan-India talks aimed at finding a just resolution of the lingering Jammu and Kashmir dispute and stressed the Kashmiris must have a voice in the peace process. Briefing newsmen about his meetings in Washington, Mahmood said Kashmiris have undergone untold sufferings and they must get relief.
"There is no cross-border activity at all as also conceded by the Indian army chief-we welcome the confidence building measures between Pakistan and India and now the Kashmiris must also get relief through Indian army withdrawal from cities of Occupied Kashmir," he said. Sultan Mahmood said withdrawal of Indian troops would build confidence of Kashmiris. He also called for abolishing laws like prevention of terrorism act.
On UN resolutions pledging the right to self-determination, he said, these internationally accepted resolutions provide a firm foundation for Kashmiris' rights. The barrister, who also visited Britain on his way to the United States, said he has called on the European Union and the US leaders to facilitate a resolution of the long-standing Kashmir dispute in accordance with wishes of Kashmiri people.
The United States, he said, is for resolution of the Kashmir dispute in the post-9/11 context. During his stay in the US capital, Barrister Sultan Mahmood said he met with Congressman Adam Smith and State Department officials.