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JKLF questions Pakistan over
accession clause in PoK poll papers

The Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (Amanullah faction) Thursday virtually raised a banner of revolt against the Pakistan government for making it obligatory for candidates contesting elections to the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir Assembly to declare their support for accession of Jammu and Kashmir to Pakistan.

In a strongly-worded letter to President Rafiq Tarar, military ruler Gen Pervez Musharraf and other top officials, Pakistan-based JKLF chairman Amanullah Khan said the introduction of the pro-accession clause was tantamount to keeping 40 "pro-independence" candidates away from contesting the elections, scheduled for July 5.

The JKLF released selected portions of the letter in a statement released here.

Stating that the accession clause was a gross violation of human and democratic rights of the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Kashmiris living in Pakistan, Khan said it negated Islamabad's stated position of supporting the right of self determination of Kashmiris.

"Pakistan advocated right of self determination for Kashmiris and has never claimed any part of Kashmir to be her integral part, but the aforementioned provision of the nomination form for elections to PoK Assembly was total negation of that declared stand of Pakistan," he said.

Khan said this provision would also deprive hundreds and thousands of their supporters of their right to vote for the candidates of their choice which was gross violation of their basic human and democratic rights.

While Khan demanded that the accession clause be deleted, the outfit's diplomatic affairs chapter in London said JKLF-A candidates would not sign the mandatory undertaking incorporated in the nomination papers.

The JKLF chief also criticised the military regime for demanding Islamabad's involvement to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"What is the justification for Pakistan's demand for bilateral or tripartite talks on Kashmir issue?" he asked.

PoK election authorities recently said that elections to the 40-member legislative assembly will be held on July 5 under the supervision of the Pakistan Army and international observers.

Candidates belonging to 20 political parties and independents are expected to take part in the elections.

The election authorities said a code of conduct had been finalised in consultation with the political parties and its violation could result in disqualification.

The PoK government is controlled by the Pakistan Peoples Party, whose local leader Sultan Mohammad Choudhary is the prime minister.

With the JKLF-A entering the arena, the contest this time is expected to be keen.

PTI

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