Liberal Democrat Party of UK President Simon Hughes has said his party fully supports the right of self-determination to Kashmiri people. He was talking to Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed here at the Parliament House on Tuesday. Liberal Democrat Party of UK President Simon Hughes said his party would take up the question of human rights' violations in the Indian-occupied Kashmir with the Indian government during the visit to India and occupied Kashmir later this year.

The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs Chairman Senator Mushahid Hussain briefed the delegation about the restoration of democracy in Pakistan.

Senator Mushahid said media was free and the Parliament fully functional in the country.

He further said that Kashmir and Palestine issues were root cause of injustice in the world, and the British government could play an important role in the resolution of both issues. He also referred to President Pervaiz Musharraf' s initiative of "Enlightened Moderation" aimed at creating better understanding between Muslim and the western worlds.

The delegation also appreciated restoration of democracy in the country and the steps taken by the government to protect minorities and encouraged women's participation in the political system of the country.

Senators Mrs Gulshan Saeed, S M Zafar, Professor Khurshid Ahmed, Nisar A Memon and Tariq Azeem Khan were also present during the meeting.

Minister of State for Overseas Pakistani Senator Tariq Azeem Khan briefed the visiting delegation about Pakistan's position on Kashmir issue, human rights violation in Occupied Kashmir and Pakistan's role in the war against terrorism.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005