Message from President Pervez Musharraf

President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

On the Occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day

( 5 February 2008 )

 

Today, as we observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day, we salute the families of over ninety thousand Kashmiris who have sacrificed their lives in the valiant struggle to attain their inalienable right to freedom. Pakistanis and Kashmiris all over the world extend their full support for the inherent rights of the Kashmiri people to determine their own destiny.

On this occasion, I wish to reiterate that Pakistan will continue to extend its moral, political and diplomatic support for a just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. The Kashmir issue remains on the agenda of the UN as an un-fulfilled obligation. We remain engaged in a sincere, sustained and purposeful dialogue with India on Kashmir. We believe that with sincerity, courage and flexibility, we can achieve a solution to the long-standing Kashmir dispute. My four-point proposal was aimed at breaking the decades old deadlock and demonstrating Pakistan's readiness to work constructively to find a solution acceptable to all the parties, especially the Kashmiri people.

Pakistan has always stressed the need to end violence and human rights abuses in Indian occupied Kashmir . We firmly believe that an enabling environment is necessary for the success of the peace process. Several Kashmir-related Confidence Building Measures initiated by us seek to bring some relief to the Kashmiris living on both sides of the LoC.

Today, we stand in solidarity with our Kashmiri brothers and sisters and assure them of our full support in their just struggle for self-determination.