India, Pak need to work for resolution of Kashmir issue:Gilani

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 6 (PTI) Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has
highlighted the need for Pakistan and India to end their "long
legacy of hostility and distrust" and work towards a peaceful
resolution of the Kashmir issue as he sought a "meaningful and
result-oriented dialogue" between the two sides.
"There is an imperative need to end the long legacy of
hostility and distrust and to work towards a peaceful
resolution of the Kashmir issue in accordance with the wishes
of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Gilani said Friday at
a function to mark 'Kashmir Solidarity Day'.
He said Kashmir remained "an unfinished agenda" and
"unfulfilled promises over the years have taken a heavy toll
on the Kashmiri people."
The Premier noted that India and Pakistan had had a
"constructive" engagement under the composite dialogue process
before the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and "Jammu and Kashmir is an
important part of that dialogue."
"Unfortunately, in the wake of the Mumbai terrorist
attack, India has put a pause on the composite dialogue
process.
"We have reiterated our desire to engage India in a
meaningful and result-oriented dialogue for resolving all
outstanding issues," he said.
Gilani pointed out that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh had agreed during a meeting in Sharm el-Shiekh last year
that dialogue is the only way forward. PTI