Gilani says Pak vigorously pursuing Kashmir issue

Pakistan premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has insisted that the Kashmir issue is the "cornerstone" of the country's foreign policy and the government is vigorously pursuing it.
     
"Kashmir is the issue of the whole country and our total moral support is with the Kashmiri brothers," Gilani told the National Assembly or lower house of Parliament.

The government fully supported the Kashmiri people, he said adding the Kashmir issue is the cornerstone of Pakistan's foreign policy.

Gilani was responding to a point of order raised yesterday by Special Committee on Kashmir chairman and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Fazlur Rehman. He directed National Assembly deputy speaker Faisal Karim Kundi to look into Rehman's reservations.

He also said he would direct government officials and foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi to be available for briefings for parliament's special committee on Kashmir.

Earlier, Rehman claimed the Indian government had adopted an "aggressive policy" by declaring the "Kashmiri freedom struggle" a "terrorist movement".

Pakistan had been put on the defensive on this issue, he claimed.
    
"We will have to demonstrate an aggressive policy with India on Kashmir," Rehman said.