The nationalist parties of Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Kashmir have rejected the Gilgit-Baltistan Empowerment Order and termed it an attempt to divide Kashmir and cause a dent to Kashmir cause internationally.
Addressing a joint press conference here at National Press Club on Sunday, Chairman, All Parties National Alliance (APNA) Mirza Wajahat Hussain, Secretary General Arif Shahid Vice Chairman Farooq Niazi and other said that some foreign forcers wanted to divide Kashmir for their own interests, adding the present government has facilitated these forces by introducing the new order.
APNA, an amalgam of nationalist parties of Gilgit Baltistan and Azad Kashmir, condemned the attack on a rally and termed it a conspiracy to create sectarian unrest in the area. "It is a move of state organs to create sectarian unrest in Gilgit-Baltistan for their vested interests', APNA leaders said.
They termed unresolved Kashmir issue main hurdle in socio economic development and prosperity of South Asian region, saying it is reality that without resolving this issue the region could not prosper. "In spite of resolving this longstanding dispute introduction of new orders will not serve the main cause", they added.
APNA has been demanding for the last 8-9 years that Pakistan and India should withdraw their forces from the entire state of Jammu Kashmir, which is in best interest of two countries, Kashmiri people and entire South Asia, they said.
They demanded a meaningful dialogue for solution of the problem between three parties of the dispute including Pakistan, India and people of Kashmir. Dialogue is only and better way to resolve this issue, they added.
They said that APNA believes in reconciliation and peace and demanded of Pakistan and India to stop violence, terrorism and militancy of all sorts and initiate confidence building measures (CBM's) and 'peace process'.
"We are working for the cause and are contacting people from India and Pakistan to join this movement of reconciliation", they added. Under a seven-point charter of demand, the APNA demanded that violence, terrorism and militancy should be eradicated from the region and all divided parts of Jammu and Kashmir. A peaceful atmosphere should be created in Sub Continent Including State of Jammu Kashmir by initiating CBMs and peace process to seek peaceful resolution of Kashmir dispute.
They also demanded resolution of Kashmir dispute through peaceful means and asked Pakistan and India to open their borders for each other to promote trade and tourism to be conducted freely. They demanded to stop the up-raising project of Mangla Dam and mega projects like Neelum-Jhelum Valley Hydel project or to hand these projects to AJK Government.