AJK President discuss Kashmir with FCO official

LONDON, May 21 (APP): The latest situation prevailing in the Indian Occupied Kashmir was the focus of discussion in a meeting between the visiting Azad Kashmir President Raja Zulqarnain Khan and Philip Barton, Director, South Asia, at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.  The AJK President urged the UK Government to play a pro-active role in resolving this problem, saying that the UN resolution on Kashmir continues to remain unimplemented.

At the same time, he asked the British Government to use its good offices and push India for the resumption of peace process with Pakistan. Advisor to AJK President, Dr. Z.U. Khan and Prof. Nazir Ahmad Shawl, Executive Director, Kashmir Centre assisted Raja Zulqarnain in the talks.

The AJK President further said for the durable and permanent peace Kashmiri voice must be included in this dialogue process. He referred to the recent elections in held Kashmir and said that no political space was provided to the pro freedom leadership as it was under arrest.

“The confidence building measures have failed to build confidence and trust because systematic human rights violations continued,” he told the senior FCO official. Zulqarnain also pleaded for the free movement of Kashmiri people across the Line of Control asserting it was their fundamental right to do so.

Barton assured the delegation that the British government is aware of the sensitivities of this problem and believe the issue should be solved to the satisfaction of the people of the state and fulfilling their aspiration. He also hoped that India Pakistan engagement will be restored and the impediments sorted out.