Gilani likens Kashmir to Palestine

Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, Feb 13 (PTI) Equating the Kashmir issue with
the Palestine problem, Pakistan Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has
claimed that peace will remain elusive in South Asia and the
Middle East unless these matters are resolved.
Gilani made the remarks during a meeting with visiting
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas here on Friday evening.
The resolution of the Palestine issue "finds resonance in
the just and peaceful struggle of Kashmiri people for
self-determination," Gilani claimed.
"People of Palestine and ... Kashmir are fighting for
their just right of self-determination," he said.
Gilani assured Abbas that Pakistan will continue to have
a principled stance of absolute support to Palestinian people
for their right to self-determination and a sovereign state.
Pakistan wants the total withdrawal of Israel from all
occupied Arab territories, including Jerusalem, stoppage of
all measures like construction of settlements and a separation
wall, excavation beneath the Al-Aqsa mosque and eviction of
Palestinians from their homes, he said.
Gilani also expressed disappointment at the current
stalemate in the Middle East peace process.
He said peace will remain elusive in South Asia and
Middle East unless Kashmir and Palestine issues are resolved.
In a separate meeting with Abbas, President Asif Ali
Zardari said Pakistan will continue to extend unequivocal and
unreserved support to Palestinian people for the establishment
of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. PTI