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Simla Accord still relevant: Jamiat chief
July 17, 2003 16:10 IST
Last Updated: July 17, 2003 17:52 IST
In a significant statement, Pakistani religious leader and chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman, on Thursday opposed mediation in the Kashmir issue.
"Kashmir is a big issue but both the countries have the Simla Agreement as a guiding principle to solve their disputes bilaterally," Rehman said on his arrival in New Delhi from the Darul Uloom University in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh.
Rehman, who is leading a four-member delegation to India, said there was no room for violence.
"The agreement is acknowledged internationally," he said.
The Pakistani religious leader, who lost the contest for prime ministership by a mere one vote, however, said that the Kashmir issue needed immediate attention.
Asked about India's assertion that Pakistan supported cross-border terrorism, Rehman said, "We are here to create goodwill and leave disputes for government to solve. Let us work towards building peace in the entire region."