Pak rakes up Kashmir issue in UN panel

UNITED NATIONS: Pakistan has raked up Kashmir issue in a United Nations committee after several months, demanding "right of self-determination" for the people of the state.

"The Security Council has in several resolutions recognised the legitimate right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir," Pak delegate Asim Iftikhar Ahmad said addressing the UN Decolonization Committee.

A resolution of the "dispute" over Jammu and Kashmir, he said, is central to the establishment of durable peace in South Asia.

"A peaceful solution will need to be acceptable to Pakistan, India, and above all, people of Jammu and Kashmir," he added.

Pakistan, he said, is engaged in a composite dialogue with India to address all outstanding differences, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute."

"We hope the recent meeting between President Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Havana will help carry forward the peace process and lead to a resolution of all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir," he added.