Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Bill Clinton issued a joint statement after nearly three hours of talks on the situation in Kashmir. Here is the full text of the statement issued in Washington on Sunday.
We believe in our founding fathers Principles of Policy, as enshrined in the “Objective Resolution” of the constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
Sovereignty over theentire universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority to beexercised by the people of Pakistan
Pakistan, the state shall exerciseits powers and authority through the chosen representatives of thepeople:
Wherein the principles of democracy, freedom, equality, tolerance, and social justice, as enunciated by Islam, shall be fully observed;
Wherein Muslims shall been abled to order their lives, in the individual and collective spheres, inaccordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as set out in the Quran and Sunnah;
Wherein adequate provision shall be made for the minorities to freely profess and practice their religion and develop their cultures;
Wherein the territories now included in or in accession with Pakistan and such other territories as may hereafter be included in or acceded to Pakistan shall form a Federation, whereinthe units will be autonomous with such boundaries and limitations on theirpowers and authority as may be prescribed;
Wherein shall beguaranteed fundamental rights, including equality of status, of opportunity andbefore law, social, economic, and political justice, and freedom of thought,expression, belief, faith, worship, and association, subject to law and publicmorality;
Wherein adequate provision shall be made to safeguard the legitimate interests of minorities, and backward and depressed classes;
Wherein the independence of judiciary shall be fully secured and respected;
Wherein the integrity ofthe territories of the federation, its independence and all its rights,including the sovereign rights on land, sea, and air shall besafeguarded;
So that the people of Pakistan may prosper and attain their rightful and honored place amongst the nations of the world and make their full contribution towards international peace and progress and happiness ofhumanity.
