An alliance of six hardline religious parties in Pakistan has said it prefers the settlement of Kashmir and other disputes with India under the ambit of Simla Agreement. Along with the announcement of the policy shift came the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA)’s assurance that militants would not be allowed to step up operations in Jammu & Kashmir in the wake of an Islamist resurgence. ‘‘We will combat terrorism in Pakistan. We will not allow our soil to be used for such activities and also against any other country,’’ said the MMA nominee for Prime Minister, Moulana Fazlur Rehman. “The alliance has resolved that Kashmir should be settled through bilateral approach as outlined in the Simla Agreement.” MMA believes the policy to resolve all disputes with India through the agreement should be continued until the Pakistan Parliament decides otherwise.Rehman heads the pro-Taliban Jamat Ulema Islami, which emerged as a force in MMA by winning more seats than its alliance partners in the Oct 10 polls. He said Kashmir’s internationalisation could increase awareness, but India and Pakistan alone would have to resolve the issue.
