Pak PM Geelani trumpets old stand on Kashmir

Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani today trumpeted Pakistan's long-standing policy on Kashmir saying "sacrifices" of Kashmiri people will not go waste, and their "aspirations" will be taken on board while resolving the vexed issue.

Gillani, who secured an unprecedented unanimous vote of confidence in the National Assembly, said eliminating terrorism would be his government's "first priority" but offered to hold dialogue with militants who give up arms. "On this occasion, I want to assure our Kashmiri brothers and sisters that their sacrifices will not go waste," he said while pledging to continue peace talks with India.

"We will take forward the process to settle the Kashmir issue but CBMs (confidence building measures) will be effective only when the issue is perceived as being resolved according to the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people," the 55-year-old Prime Minister said.

Gillani's comments were in sharp contrast to ruling PPP chief Asif Ali Zardari's recent remarks expressing readiness to set aside the Kashmir issue to focus on other aspects for improving relations with India.

Gillani, who heads a coalition of parties hostile to President Pervez Musharraf, said the government is committed to reinstating the judges sacked during last year's emergency - a move which might lead to a showdown with Musharraf. "The government will continue its efforts for reinstatement of judges and the independence of judiciary," he said.

(Reporting by Rezaul H Laskar)