Islamabad, Aug 27: The founder of the Lashker-e-Taiba has vowed to organize "Kashmir Solidarity Conferences" across Pakistan to extend support to the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, who now heads the Jamat-ud-Dawah, said the campaign will be launched with the holding of a "Kashmir Solidarity Conference" in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on August 31.

Similar conferences will be organized in all towns and cities of the country, including Lahore, he said.

Saeed announced the decision while addressing a meeting of central and zonal leaders of the Jamat-ud-Dawah at Markaz al-Qadsia at Chowburji in Lahore on Tuesday.

The meeting discussed the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the military operation against the Taliban in Bajaur Agency and "other vital matters of national interest", said a statement issued by the Jamat-ud-Dawah.

Leaders of Pakistani political and Islamic organizations and members of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference will participate in the initiative so that a "strong message can be sent to the people of Kashmir as well as the international community," the statement said.

Saeed described the death of Kashmiri separatist leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz as a "targeted killing".

On August 22, Kashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik and Saeed had agreed to cooperate on the Kashmir issue.

Saeed had then said that Pakistan's rulers might "have their own limitations and constraints" but the Jamat-ud-Dawah had "no constraints whatsoever and would go to the last limits in helping our Muslim brothers". [Agencies]

Posted on 28 Aug 2008 by Webmaster