Kashmir issue must be settled in accordance with Kashmiris desires: PM

Saturday November 12, 2005 (0018 PST)

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ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the Kashmir problem would be solved according to the wishes of Kashmiri people.

He was addressing to the volunteers came all over the country on the occasion of starting the National Volunteer Movement (NVM) at Prime Minister Secretariat on Friday.

Shaukat Aziz said he would highlight the Kashmir problem on all forums including the upcoming South Asian Association for Regional Corporation (SAARC) to be held in Dhaka.

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said volunteers all over the world played an effective role in the quake-affected areas and added that youths can play an important role in the development of the country. PM said that after the establishment of NVM, President Pervez Musharraf would himself address it. A large number of people are in mental shock and in this programme volunteers would be trained to tackle that issue.

Prime Minister said that the earthquake rendered the destruction of life and property to a larger extent, added that the government with the collaboration of the United Nations (UN) and other relief organizations is estimating the loss. For the reconstruction and rehabilitation, expenses of approximately five billion dollars are expected and these estimated would be presented in the International Donor Conference to be held on 19th of November, he added. A Relief Agency would also be established to tackle the post-earthquake situation effectively, he added.

Shaukat Aziz praised the role of NGO’s and said people are unnecessary criticizing the foreign teams participating in the relief activities. He said three centers would be established at Islamabad, Muzaffarabad and Mansehra which would prepare artificial limbs for disable persons.

Speaking on the occasion, the President of Azad Jammu Kashmir Sardar Anwar Khan praised the step of the establishment of NVM and said it would be strengthen with the help of legislation. He said that necessary arrangements are needed as winter season is approaching to avoid the second wave of deaths. The relief aid is being distributing among the affectess, he added.

The Chairman of NVM Mohammad Ali Durrani while explaining the purpose of the movement, said the office has been established in Sports Complex and registration in this connection starts today(Saturday).

The offices would be also established at Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Azad Kashmir and registration forms would be available in all the post offices of the country.