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Is US using the Kashmir issue to try and get a permanent foothold in South Asia? Post your views

Lahore: The All Parties Conference (APC), a conglomerate of 27 main political and religious parties in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), categorically rejected US' mediation in resolving the Kashmir dispute, as well as the "Chenab" formula, which was once floated to settle the dispute.

At a meeting in Lahore on June 9, it said the Bush administration wanted to create an independent Kashmir "to maintain its hegemony in the region", by giving few parts of Kashmir to Pakistan and India, an online news agency reported on June 10.

After the meeting, APC also declared that Pakistan would continue to support Kashmir freedom movement, politically, morally and diplomatically.

The Conference described the Kashmir division under the "Chenab" formula as a conspiracy to create "Mirzael" state in the region. In a joint declaration issued after the meeting, the APC said it would not allow America to divide Kashmir. "The only way to resolve this lingering dispute is implementation of United Nations resolutions," it added.

It also suggested tripartite talks among Pakistan, India and Kashmir representatives as a way to amicably address the Kashmir issue.

Even as the present-day government in Pakistan is trying hard to prove itself as a US' confidante, the Opposition political parties and religious organisations leave no chance to lambaste Washington for its policies in South Asia.

ANI