Address to a gathering of Kashmiri people at Nine Zero on the occasion of Kashmir Day
Deputy Convener of the Co-ordination Committee of the MQM and Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Dr Farooq Sattar has said that the progress and development of South Asia hinges on the immediate solution of the Kashmir dispute. He said that the continuation of the status quo was the biggest hurdle in the solution of the Kashmir dispute. He said that India is the largest democracy in the world but its democracy was blemished by the Kashmir dispute. He appealed to the Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the people of India to open the locks on Kashmir for solving the dispute. He was addressing a gathering at the MQM Headquarters Nine Zero on the occasion of Kashmir Day.
Dr Sattar said that the system in Pakistan would have to be put on the right course for solving the Kashmir dispute, and a real and participative democracy would have to be established in the Legislative Assembly of Azad Kashmir. He said that peace should be established in Kashmir, and the divided families should be allowed to meet each other as it was necessary to start the journey of progress and development.
Dr Sattar gave three points for the solution of the Kashmir dispute from the MQM. He said that the dispute should be resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir as no solution without the participation of the people of Kashmir would be acceptable to anyone. He said that the Kashmiri people should be involved in all the dialogues relating to Kashmir. He said that the MQM would always stand with the people of Kashmir for getting their legitimate rights.
Dr Sattar said that the Kashmir Day was being observed across the globe, and the MQM observed the day each year in order to express its resolution not to leave the people of Kashmir until they get their right of self-determination. He said that the MQM leader had categorically stated that the decision of Kashmir rests in the hands of the people of Kashmir. He said that no durable solution of the dispute could be found without accepting this reality.
Dr Sattar said that Azad Kashmir could become one of the biggest tourist industries in the world because of its scenic beauties. It can be made one of the most beautiful regions in the world by finding durable solutions of mutual disputes.
A large number of Kashmiri people living in Karachi attended the Kashmir Day ceremony at Nine Zero. Members of the Co-ordination Committee and office-bearers of various wings of the MQM were also present on the occasion.