Kashmir first, other problems later: MMA

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: The six religious parties that comprise the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) on Sunday demanded that the South Asian Association for the Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries should first resolve the issue of Kashmir, as this would facilitate the resolution of other problems in the region.

The leadership of the MMA including Acting President of the MMA Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Secretary General of the Alliance Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Deputy Parliamentary leader of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Hafiz Hussain Ahmed and around 20 arliamentarians belonging to the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal demanded that both the countries Pakistan and India must resolve the Kashmir issue according to the United Nations Security Council resolutions on Kashmir.

In a policy statement issued by the MMA leadership, they said that South Asian Association for the Regional Cooperation could only become effective when the issue of Kashmir was resolved according to the whishes of the people of Kashmir.

“The ongoing South Asian Association for the Regional Cooperation conference in Islamabad is the result of the confidence building measures taken by India and Pakistan to normalise the situation between the two countries. The effort is appreciated,” said Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal leaders, adding that the South Asian Association for the Regional Cooperation conference could be a positive development towards enhanced cooperation between the member countries.

“After a long discontinuation, this summit is an opportunity for the member countries to sit together to provide a solid foundation to resolve the problems of the region, but this goal can only achieved when the most important issue of Kashmir is resolved,” said Hafiz Hussain Ahmed to Daily Times.

He said that Kashmir issue could only then resolved when both India and Pakistan adopt a attitude that reflected the realities on the ground and give respect to the opinion and desires of the Kashmiri people.

“Basically Kashmir dispute is not a territorial clash; it is a responsibility to give the right of self-determination to 12.5 million people and it should be resolved according to the UN resolutions,” Mr. Hafiz said.

He said that during the briefing given by Foreign Minister Mr. Khurshid Kasuri last week, the MMA leadership emphasised that the Kashmiri leadership must be included in the process to resolve the issue of Kashmir.

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