Altaf Hamid Rao,
Islamabad /MIRPUR (AJK) : (Parliament Times) : Mr Aamir Shiekh, prominent Norwegian Pakistani leader, and head of the Foundation Dialogue for Peace, called on Sardar Masood Khan, President Azad Jammu and Kashmir and apprised him about the efforts being made in Norway for the promotion of peace in South Asia and the protection of rights of the Kashmiri people.
Mr. Shiekh mentioned that he intends to take fresh initiatives to create an enabling environment for peaceful resolution of the outstanding issues between India and Pakistan and for the lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute
Mr. Shiekh in the past has played a pivotal role in facilitating the visits of Mr Kjell Magne Bondevik, former PM of Norway and an internationally recognised statesman to Muzaffarabad, Islamabad, Bengaluru and Srinagar. These visits were helpful for exploring space for dialogue and peace.
President Masood said that the Pakistani and Kashmiri diaspora community in Norway has been in the forefront of advocacy of the Kashmir cause and has tried to open new avenues for dialogue and diplomacy among all the parties to the Kashmir dispute, with the inclusion of the Kashmiris.
The President noted that because of the progressive and forward-looking policies of the Norwegian government, the Pakistani-Kashmiri community has been integrated into the Norwegian society and governance structure. This has also enabled them to influence decision making in the Norwegian government and parliament for the protection and promotion of human rights.
Sardar Masood Khan thanked Mr Aamir Shiekh for his efforts to promote of peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region and create stronger ties between Norway, Pakistan and AJK.
The President said that the diaspora community all over the world, particularly in Europe and the European Parliament, has been playing an important role in raising awareness as regards to the human rights situation in the IOJK. “The diaspora community”, he said, “has become the torch-bearer for the right to self-determination of the Kashmiri people”.