Kashmir is ’unfinished agenda of partition’: Pak Army Chief Raheel Sharif

Mangalore Today News Network

Islamabad, June 03, 2015: Pakistan’s powerful Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif raised the Kashmir bogey once again on Wednesday and said that it was “an unfinished agenda of partition”.

Speaking at a function at the National Defense University (NDU), Islamabad, Gen Sharif said, “Kashmir is an unfinished agenda of Partition. Kashmir and Pakistan are inseparable.”

“While we wish peace, stability in region, we want Kashmir’s just resolution in the light of United Nations resolutions and as per aspirations of Kashmiris to bring lasting peace in region,” he said.

Gen Sharif added that Kashmir (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) is an integral part of Pakistan and that Pakistan Army won’t allow any skirmishes in the region.

The Pakistan Army Chief’s reassertion of Pakistan’s stand on Kashmir comes a day after India objected to the conducting of polls in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).

India contends that Pakistan is holding the polls – for the first time ever – to cement its claim on the region, which rightfully belongs to India.

Reacting strongly to the upcoming elections in Gilgit and Baltistan on June 8, India on Tuesday said it is an attempt by Pakistan to "camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation" of the regions which are integral part of the country.

Official spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry, Vikas Swarup, also expressed concern at the "continued efforts" by Pakistan to deny the people of the region their political rights and to absorb these territories.

"India’s position is well known. The entire state of Jammu and Kashmir which includes the regions of Gilgit and Baltistan is an integral part of India. The election in Gilgit and Baltistan on June 8 under the so called ’Gilgit Baltistan Empowerment and Self Government Order’ is an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation of the regions."

Union Minister Jitendra Singh had also accused Pakistan of doing "mischief" in the matter.

"As far as India is concerned, its position with relation to the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir is very clear. The 1994 resolution of Parliament, which was unanimously passed, clearly states that if at all there is any issue left between India and Pakistan, it is to retrieve the portion of erstwhile J&K which continues to remain in the illegal occupation of Pakistan," he said.

"Let me also add that as far as the Gilgit-Baltistan area is concerned, as for the Pakistan Constitution itself also, it does not form a part of Pakistan," he had further stated.

 

Courtesy: Zeenews