Geelani hails Pak support for just cause of Kashmiris

Srinagar:  Thanking Pakistan for supporting the “just cause” of Kashmiris, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (G), Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Monday said the “freedom struggle” of Kashmiris despite being local in nature was also important for “survival of Pakistan.”“Pakistan has supported the just cause of Kashmiris from 1947 and that country has fought three wars for Kashmiris. The Army and Pakistani people have rendered huge sacrifices for Kashmiris and even today Pakistan is in trouble because of Kashmir,” Geelani said while  addressing a two-day international conference on Kashmir held by ‘Azad Jammu and Kashmir University’ in Muzaffarabad via video-conferencing.Geelani said the resolution of Kashmir issue and “stability” of Pakistan were interlinked and flayed India’s “expansionist” motives.“In order to maintain its military occupation of Kashmir, New Delhi is not only pursuing an anti-Pakistan policy but is also increasing its influence in Afghanistan,” he said.He said amicable relations between India and Pakistan were impossible until Kashmir was not included as the “core issue” in the dialogue process between the countries. He also urged Pakistani leaders to stand firm on their “traditional stand on Kashmir, and support the right to self determination of Kashmiris.”“Even though the freedom struggle of Kashmiris is a local movement but its continuity is also important for the survival of Pakistan. India right from 1947 has maintained an expansionist policy. First it illegal occupied Kashmir and now it is eyeing control over Afghanistan. India wants to establish its hegemony over the entire region by weakening Pakistan.Geelani asked India to shun “stubbornness on Kashmir and adopt a realistic approach.” Geelani reiterated that he was not against meaningful dialogue but the 150 rounds of dialogue in the past had proven that without taking Kashmiris into confidence the issue cannot be resolved.