Peace in SA to remain elusive sans Kashmir solution: PM Shaukat

Friday June 30, 2006 (0204 PST)

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister, Shaukat Aziz gestures as he talks to a delegation of British House of Commons International Development Committee at Prime Minister’s House. Email Most Popular Print Add to Favorite Related Links OIC Contact group adopt resolution on Kashmir Alleviating the sufferings of Kashmiris remains top priority of OIC: Ihsanoglu Kashmir core issue between Pak-India: Tareen Time is ripe for resolution of Kashmir issue: Musharraf Peace in SA impossible sans Kashmir solution: PM Aziz More Related News >>  Pictorial ,  No of Pictures: 20  Cartoons , No of Cartoons: 6  Speak Out Pakistan and India in General Assembly  Opinion Poll Open • Created on April, 29 2003 • Closed on September, 29 2004 • Question: "Do you consdier Indian WMDs a serious threat to world peace and security ?" This poll has been closed, view the result of this poll. Show Result

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to the peace process with India through the ongoing composite dialogue process and said Pakistan’s proposals of demilitarization and self-governance in Kashmir can form the basis of meaningful dialogue and concentrate progress for the settlement of the Kashmir issue.

The prime minister was talking to Malcom Bruce MP Chairman Liberal Democrat head of House of Commons International Development Committee who called on him along with a seven member delegation at the Prime Minister House Thursday. The members of the British Parliament included John Barrett, John Battle, John Berow, Richard Burden, Quentin Davis, Ann Mckechin and Marsha Singh.

Both India and Pakistan need to show courage leadership and magnanimity and the will to resolve the outstanding dispute of Kashmir, the prime minister said.

Emphasizing the need for an early settlement of the Kashmir dispute, the prime minister said, peace in South Asia would remain elusive without just settlement of the Kashmir dispute in line with the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir. He added that only sustainable peace in South Asia would help the region leverage its true potential.

Emphasizing the need for promoting interfaith harmony, the prime minister said the gap between various faiths Needs to be bridged through dedicated efforts by religious scholars, leaders and people belonging to all faiths and religious groups.

Talking about Afghanistan, the prime minister said Pakistan has been consistently supporting Afghanistan in its reconstruction efforts and the efforts to achieve peace, stability and prosperity as a strong, stable and vibrant Afghanistan is a much in Pakistan’s interest as it is for the Afghans, he added.

"the events in Afghanistan have a spill over affect on Pakistan. We will continue to extend our full support for peace and reconstruction in Afghanistan in order to maintain regional stability", the prime minister added.

He said the volume of trade between the two countries has gone up to $ 1.5 billion and a stable Afghanistan will spur more trade between the two countries.

The prime minister said that the world needs to do more to help re-construction process in Afghanistan and help it eradicate poppy cultivation through crop substitution and employment generation, he added.

Giving an overview of the economic situation, the prime minister said government is acting on an agenda of growth with dignity and equity. He said Pakistan has emerged out of a low investment, low growth syndrome. Last year it achieved 6.6% growth despite the shocks caused by the surging oil prices and losses caused by the earthquake. He said the total size of economy that is now $ 135 billion has doubled during the last seven years; per capita income has risen to $ 847 and poverty has come down from 34.46% in 2001 to 23.9% in 2006. the social indicators are also moving up, the prime minister added.

The prime minister said, in the social sector health, education and women empowerment are the three main areas of focus. The government, he said through a series of affirmative actions is working on increasing the participation of women in all spheres of life to ensure economic, political and social empowerment for them.

"we have more women in our parliament than many other parliaments of the world.".

The prime minister appreciated the timely and substantial help provided by the British people and the government for the earthquake affected people of Pakistan.

Mr Malcom Bruce appreciated the manner in which Pakistan handled the difficult situation arising out of the October 8 earthquake. He said the government agencies particularly Pakistan army did an impressive job both in the relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction phases.

Malcom Bruce discussed the UN reform with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and said the prime minister is playing a key role in the UN reforms process and his vision will contribute to making UN a more coherent.

The delegation appreciated the improvement in Pakistan’s economy especially the fruitful efforts to reduce poverty in the country.

The meeting was attended among others by Minister of State for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar, British High Commissioner Mark Lyall Grant and senior officials.