ARD rejects Kashmir options

MUZAFFARABAD: The Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Monday rejected President Pervez Musharraf’s options on Kashmir, calling for its solution under UN resolutions.

During a meeting at the AJK Legislative Assembly chaired by ARD Chairman Makhdoom Amin Fahim, the alliance passed a resolution slamming President Musharraf’s Kashmir policy and called for a UN-based solution to the issue. After the meeting, Zafar Iqbal Jhagra told reporters that the ARD discussed the Pakistani president’s Kashmir policy and criticised it. In its April 21, 1948 declaration, the UN had said Kashmir was not a part of India and that Kashmiris themselves would decide its future, he added.

Kashmiris had not given Mr Musharraf the right to decide their fate, he said, adding that he had localised the issue by suggesting dividing it and floating other bizarre options. Amin Fahim told reporters that the alliance would continue struggling till ‘real’ democracy was restored in the country. “We are struggling to remove the 17th amendment and all sections of the Legal Framework Order from the constitution besides abolishing the National Security Council,” he added.

Mr Fahim also denounced a deal between the Pakistan People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) and government, saying if Asif Ali Zardari had to sign a deal with the government, why had he been detained for eight years. He said there was no rift between Mr Zardari and him. Amin Fahim said the ARD and MMA were supporting each other and were struggling for the same purpose.

Meanwhile, talking to KTN TV on Monday, Amin Fahim said the ARD was unenthusiastic to talk with the government under the present circumstances. However, if the rulers came up with “an agenda”, the opposition might think about talking, he added. agencies

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