Zardari in PoK; rakes up Afzal Guru's execution

Pakistan President also threatened that Pakistan will continue to highlight the Kashmir "cause" at international forums

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari today raked up the execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru in his address to the joint session of the legislature of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.

He also threatened that Pakistan will continue to highlight the Kashmir "cause" at international forums.

"The hanging of Afzal Guru through the abuse of judicial process has further aggravated and angered the people of Kashmir," he said.

He claimed recent protests in Jammu and Kashmir had forced international human rights organisations, journalists and intellectuals to take notice of the issue.

"The situation has alarmed many within India. Saner voices have urged the Indian government to give up the path of violence," he said.

The Pakistan government will continue to highlight the Kashmir "cause" at international forums, including the UN and OIC, he said.

"We believe that any resolution of the Kashmir issue must be centred on the Kashmiris themselves. They alone must be the principal beneficiaries. For a durable resolution, Kashmiris must be associated with the dialogue process," he said.

Zardari also said Pakistan and India should not allow terrorists and militants to dictate the agenda as engagement and dialogue alone can settle long-standing issues like the Kashmir dispute and create peace in South Asia.

"We believe that Pakistan and India should not allow terrorists and militants to dictate the agenda. The drive for peace, security and stability in South Asia must not be held hostage to the designs of the militants," Zardari said in his address to a joint session of the assembly and council of PoK.