OSLO 10 May (KMS): The Norwegian Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir has urged the world community to extend its wholehearted support to the ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan and ensure that a just resolution of the Kashmir dispute is brought about after taking Kashmiris’ into confidence.

Over 20 parliament members and noted figures attended a seminar on future of Kashmir held under the auspices of the Kashmir Committee of the Norwegian Parliament.

Dagfinn Høybråten, who heads the Christen Democratic Party as well as the Nordic Council, said the world is deeply concerned about human rights sufferings in Kashmir and his group would take up the matter in the upcoming parliamentary session. The chairman also stated that the Kashmir group would play its role to strengthen ongoing peace and reconciliation process between Indian and Pakistan.

Victoria Schofield, the British expert on Kashmir and Afghanistan conflicts, noted in her presentation that to some extent, the Indian Government is winning its waiting game. For all the flexibility Musharraf has shown, India has stuck firmly behind its traditional position of propagating Kashmir as its integral part. She said India has been promoting the idea that there can be no joint sovereignty and significant demilitarization can only take place when militancy is eradicated.

Speaking on the occasion Executive Director of Kashmiri-Scandinavian Council, Norway, Sardar Ali Shanawaz Khan thanked the participants and panelists for discussing Kashmir issue.  He drew their attention to recently published report by a human rights watch dog, the Association of Parents of Disappeared People (APDP) wherein its workers found nearly 1000 nameless graves scattered in cemeteries across held Kashmir. Ali Shahnawaz Khan also said that recognition of Kashmiris' right to choose their future could be a major confidence building measure, which would create an atmosphere of trust.