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Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman has called for a fervent and vigorous commitment by all stakeholders to raise the Kashmir issue at world level. “We need to focus on raising the Kashmir issue with a new vigour,” the Daily Times quoted Fazl, as saying at a meeting held at the Justice Foundation Kashmir Centre on Friday. He said that there could be no second opinion on the importance of Kashmir for Pakistan , and regretted that the issue could not be resolved early and had gone through many phases. Fazl discussed the Kashmir situation in the post 9/11 scenario, and the decision of the Pakistan government in the aftermath of events after 2001. “We face a challenge in putting Kashmir back on the international front page, and we are endeavouring to place this lingering issue back as the top priority for Pakistan ’s foreign policy,” the JUI-F said. He was of the view that India had benefited from the post 9/11 situation, and the developments on Pakistan ’s western borders had been able to enhance its influence on the diplomatic and defence fronts, and pointed out that the recent Lisbon summit had also encouraged India . “We have to think how to counter the strategic importance of India given to it by the USA , keeping in view its trade links and agreements on civilian nuclear technology and the support extended by the US for a permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council,” he added. The Kashmir solution was in Pakistan ’s interest, said Fazl, adding that Iran had supported the cause of Kashmir and so had China , Norway and the European Union, which had initiated discussions on Kashmir . “All this, points to a good omen towards the Kashmir solution,” he declared. He also urged the Pakistani media to devote more time in creating awareness on the Kashmir issue, and said that letters had been written to all the four provincial chief ministers, the foreign office and diplomatic missions abroad, to highlight the Kashmir issue vigorously.

Kashmir issue should be top priority for Pakistan’s foreign policy: JUI-F chief