MUZAFFARABAD, Nov 19: Parliamentary Kashmir Committee chairman Maulana Fazlur Rehman has made it clear that relations with the Untied States and other international powers could not be maintained as “masters and slaves”.

“I want to convey a message to the US and other international powers that we don't want to wage a war on you or against any other. We want peace which is a blessing of the Almighty. If you want friendship it should be in accordance with its demands. But the existing relationship is like that of a master and slave which we reject outright,” he said at a reception hosted in for the Kashmir Committee by the AJK Prime Minister Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan late Tuesday night.

The 11-member delegation of committee had arrived here on Tuesday afternoon but four of its members returned to the federal capital on Wednesday due to some other commitments.

Mr Rehman told India that Pakistan could not compromise on its principled stand on Kashmir.

“We don't want to seize your land; we don't want to disturb your sovereignty. But we hold our own sovereignty very dear and we have to keep a watchful eye on everything that may affect our security,” he told India.

He noted with satisfaction that the US president-elect Barrack Obama had also acknowledged that better relations between India and Pakistan guaranteed peace in the entire (South Asian) region.

“We welcome his statement. Unresolved Kashmir issue has held more than one billion people of India, Pakistan and Kashmir hostage and they should be taken out of this situation,” he said.

He however added that any effort for improvement of India-Pakistan relations could only yield results if directed at brining about an honourable and legitimate solution to the Kashmir issue.

Otherwise, he warned, everything would prove cosmetic.

Mr Rehman said Pakistan had always welcomed international mediation for resolution of Kashmir issue and was ready for the same even now. But, he regretted, India was opposed to this idea.

He recalled that it had also been agreed in Simla Agreement that disputes between the two countries would be resolved through bilateral talks.

“We are ready for it as well. But at the same time we want to make it clear that no one has the right to suppress or overlook the wishes and sentiments of the Kashmiris. Whatever may be the settlement, it should be in accordance with their wishes and aspirations.”

Mr Rehman declared that the committee would gather recommendations in consultation with all stakeholders and also would benefit itself from the experience of Kashmiri leadership for effective lobbying on Kashmir at the international level.

Paying tributes to struggling Kashmiris, he said: “We are with you in your struggle. We are your voice and your advocate to take this struggle to its logical end.”

“Though the journey is long and arduous but the destination is very much in sight,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Rehman also briefly spoke about the country's western borders, saying the safe borders were the scene of blood and fire for the past seven years.

He appeared opposed to the eviction of tribal lashkars (from Fata), as he said these tribes had offered blood during the creation of Pakistan and had also fought Kashmir battle but now had themselves become a target.

On Wednesday, the committee members also attended a detailed briefing on developmental activities in AJK and later visited two refugee camps on the outskirts of the capital.

Speaking to refugees, Mr Rehman dispelled impression that Pakistan wanted to impose any solution upon the Kashmiris.

“Any solution that lacks the consent of the Kashmiri people and leadership cannot be durable,” he said, adding the Kashmiris were basic party to the dispute and their participation in the talks (on the issue) was indispensable.