 "PDP disapproves Pakistan's thinking on Assembly's legitimacy")
The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today said Pakistan's line of thinking that Jammu and Kashmir Assembly or its Speaker has no legitimacy will not help in addressing the issues or creating an atmosphere of peace in the state.
"We do not agree with this that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly or its Speaker has no legitimacy. In fact, this is the only legitimately elected body of representatives who have the right to talk," PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar told reporters here.
Apparently referring to separatists, Akhtar, who is also a minister in the PDP-BJP government said, others who talk on Kashmir issue only represent an idea and have a point of view, but we (legislators) have a democratically elected character.
Akhtar said, that does not have any bearing on our legitimacy, the whole world knows that we are legitimately elected through a free and fair election in which about 80% people participated.
"Pakistan has a point of view, our country has a point of view, our party too has a point of view and then others as well have a point of view. But within that entire debate, the fact lies that I am a democratically elected representative."
The PDP leader said some people also raise questions over the state legislature, but Aziz's comments were not acceptable and not right as well.
"We (legislators) have come with 80% votes. If someone says that we are not legitimate, then I do not think it is correct. This line of thinking won't help in addressing the issue or creating an atmosphere of peace," he said.
Aziz had yesterday said Pakistan will not invite Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker to Commonwealth Parliamentary Union (CPU) meeting as it would compromise its position on Kashmir issue.
He said Kashmir was a disputed territory and Pakistan does not recognises its Assembly.
"We will never invite the Speaker of occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Pakistan does not recognise and accept the said Assembly as a legitimate one," he had said.
Pakistan is hosting Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference from September 30 to October 8 for which over 70% of the delegates have confirmed participation.
India has threatened to boycott the meet if J-K Assembly Speaker was not invited.
"We do not agree with this that the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly or its Speaker has no legitimacy. In fact, this is the only legitimately elected body of representatives who have the right to talk," PDP spokesman Naeem Akhtar told reporters here.
Apparently referring to separatists, Akhtar, who is also a minister in the PDP-BJP government said, others who talk on Kashmir issue only represent an idea and have a point of view, but we (legislators) have a democratically elected character.
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"So, no one can say that we are no ones. We disapprove of that and we do not accept that," he said, when asked his reactions on Special Adviser to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on foreign affairs and national security, Sartaj Aziz's statement that Kashmir was a "disputed territory and Pakistan does not recognise its Assembly."
Akhtar said, that does not have any bearing on our legitimacy, the whole world knows that we are legitimately elected through a free and fair election in which about 80% people participated.
"Pakistan has a point of view, our country has a point of view, our party too has a point of view and then others as well have a point of view. But within that entire debate, the fact lies that I am a democratically elected representative."
The PDP leader said some people also raise questions over the state legislature, but Aziz's comments were not acceptable and not right as well.
"We (legislators) have come with 80% votes. If someone says that we are not legitimate, then I do not think it is correct. This line of thinking won't help in addressing the issue or creating an atmosphere of peace," he said.
Aziz had yesterday said Pakistan will not invite Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Speaker to Commonwealth Parliamentary Union (CPU) meeting as it would compromise its position on Kashmir issue.
He said Kashmir was a disputed territory and Pakistan does not recognises its Assembly.
"We will never invite the Speaker of occupied Jammu and Kashmir Assembly. Pakistan does not recognise and accept the said Assembly as a legitimate one," he had said.
Pakistan is hosting Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference from September 30 to October 8 for which over 70% of the delegates have confirmed participation.
India has threatened to boycott the meet if J-K Assembly Speaker was not invited.