World needs to resolve Kashmir dispute to make the dream of peace a reality

At a two-day conference in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-administered Pakistan, on 23-24 May, Prime Minister Yousef Raza Gilani urged the world to assist in the peace efforts in Kashmir. He said the “dream of peace” was a global issue at the conference organized by the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) University.

Gilani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, said that no significant development could take place in south Asia until the resolution of the Kashmir issue. He called for the need to acknowledge Kashmiri’s rights to self-determination in accordance with the United Nations Resolutions and seeks continuation of Pakistan and India dialogue.

PM Gilani, said a Kashmir resolution was instrumental in bringing prosperity to the region. He then inaugurated a number of education and infrastructure projects in the Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot campuses of AJK University and the construction of 25 model schools. Quality education was a key development focus for the region.

He also said the government was keen to the Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority had completed a disaster management program and another program of medical rehabilitation for over 40,000 people with disabilities had also been completed. In addition, 40 new bridges were constructed, and water and sanitation had been improved.

The rehabilitation and recovery programs were announced in reference to the Kashmir earthquake on October 8, 2005, known as the South Asian earthquake of or the Great Pakistan earthquake. Registering 7.7 on the Richter scale, the quake’s death toll was reported to be over 70,000. In response to the catastrophe, Pakistan and India ceased hostilities in the region to assist in the disaster relief efforts during a harsh winter season.

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