Musharraf hails Kashmir talks

06/02/2007| IslamWeb

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf said yesterday he was optimistic that a more conciliatory tone in talks with India would bring an end to their 60-year dispute over Kashmir.Musharraf said that India and Pakistan had changed their stance from "confrontationist to reconciliatory resolution".

"We are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel where we may be able to resolve the dispute for good, and for the benefit of the people of Kashmir," he said.

His comments came as thousands of Pakistanis rallied across the country for a "Kashmir Solidarity Day" and condemned alleged atrocities in Indian-ruled Kashmir.

Musharraf also urged Kashmiri leaders - a fractious mix of pro-Pakistani parties, Islamists and independence-seekers - to work together to find "unanimity of views and to guide us on how to resolve this issue."

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told the legislative assembly of Pakistani administered Kashmir that Pakistan was committed to resolving the dispute "in accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris."

To give impetus to peace negotiations, Musharraf had last year proposed greater autonomy for all of Kashmir under "joint management" by Pakistan and India.

He has also proposed that both sides pull their troops from the region.

Hardline separatist leaders have criticised Musharraf's proposals, complaining his initiatives fail to address their demand for self-determination.

"Musharraf will never free Kashmir because he is putting people of jihad in jail," said Hafiz Idrees, a leader of the Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, or United Action Forum.

More than 1,000 students, labourers and politicians marched in the capital, Islamabad. Streets were bedecked with banners saying, "Kashmir, a valley of tears" and "We salute freedom fighters in Kashmir".

More than 3,000 people rallied in the central city of Multan and protests elsewhere denounced Indian "atrocities".

Pakistanis and Kashmiris formed a human chain at Kohala bridge, which links Pakistan with its part of Kashmir. Special prayers for Kashmir's freedom were also offered in mosques across the country.

PHOTO CAPTION

Pakistani Kashmiri supporters stamp U.S. and Indian flags during a Kashmir Day rally to show solidarity with Indian Kashmiris, Monday, Feb. 5, 2007 in Lahore, Pakistan. (AP)

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