News
Monday, May 03, 2010
‘Gilani should announce decision on Justice Riaz’* Farooq Haider says Islamabad should avoid discussing IHK issue during bilateral talks with New Delhi
Staff Report
LAHORE: Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Farooq Haider on Sunday asked Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to announce – in his capacity as the Kashmir Council chairman – his decision regarding the dysfunctional AJK Supreme Court chief justice Riaz Akhtar Chaudhry without further delay.
Talking to journalists during his two-day stay in Lahore, Haider said the reference against Riaz was filed due to his continuous interference in matters of the executive and administration. “I want to clear one thing that I will never bow down before dictatorial powers,” he said. “I am ready to sacrifice my own position for the supremacy of the law and constitution,” Haider said, adding that he does not harbour a personal grudge against Riaz. He warned Islamabad against taking any unconstitutional step in AJK’s constitutional matters.
Trilateral talks: Replying to different questions, Haider asked Pakistan to avoid the topic of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) during its bilateral talks with India. “Pakistan and its people must know that IHK is not a bilateral issue, rather it necessitates trilateral talks that must include Kashmiris with the help of any third-party involvement,” he said.
“We just want our right to self-determination according to the UN resolutions,” Haider said. About AJK’s internal issues, Haider said he would never dissolve the AJK Legislative Assembly despite the fact that he faced tough opposition from a select group. He also asked Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzoor Wattoo to refrain from interfering in AJK’s state matters.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk