ATHMUQAM (AJK), July 18: Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf reaffirmed on Wednesday Pakistan’s unflinching commitment to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, saying Islamabad would continue to support their cause by all means until they achieved their goal.

“I want to convey to my brethren across the Line of Control (LoC) that Pakistan holds its principled stand on Kashmir issue.

We will continue to extend support, whether moral or diplomatic, to you until the issue of Kashmir is resolved in accordance with your aspirations as well as the United Nations resolutions,” he said while addressing a big public meeting in the headquarters of the Neelum Valley that straddles the Line of Control.

“We are for cordial relations with our neighbours. We want improvement of relations with India. We want to see the tensions reduced on both sides and issues settled at the negotiating table.”

The prime minister said Pakistan had resumed dialogue with India that had led to facilities like cross-Line of Control travel in Kashmir and relaxation on borders.

He said Pakistan wanted cordial relations with Afghanistan.

“We are equally desirous to see the Afghan issue settled in line with the wishes of Afghan people and we want to support them in getting this issue resolved.”

The prime minister said: “We are also working towards establishing an atmosphere of reconciliation in the country and in the same spirit we do not even respond to abuses that are hurled on us.

“Our workers can lay down their lives but will never let the democratic process derail.”

He said the government had constituted an independent Election Commission to conduct free, fair and transparent polls.

“PPP’s history bears testimony to the fact that we come to power only through the vote and support of the masses. We have never accepted any other means. We will respect the will and wish of the people.”

The prime minister said when the PPP came to power in 2008 Pakistan was facing a serious wheat crisis but now the commodity was being exported. The government would also overcome the energy crisis, he said.

Mr Ashraf said the Azad Jammu and Kashmir or any provincial government could set up hydroelectric projects of up to 1,000MW, whereas earlier the limit was 100MW.

He announced that the 110 kilometres Athmuqam-Taobutt road would be widened by the federal government and he would himself inaugurate it.