International Desk: Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan has reiterated his commitment to make Kashmir independent if people in the disputed Himalayan Valley vote to join Pakistan during a UN referendum. The referendum at the UN has been pending for a long time.

Imran Khan made the promise while addressing a rally in Kotli in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir on Friday (February 5th) to mark Kashmir Solidarity Day. He stressed that he was always willing to give the citizens of the region the full right to establish their resolve for independence.

Imran Khan said at the time, 'You will decide your future. I want to tell the Kashmiris on both sides of the divide that after you will decide in favour of Pakistan,you will be given a right by Pakistan to choose whether you want to remain as a part of Pakistan or as an independent nation."

Two of the three wars took place between Pakistan and India since independence from the British in 1947, over Kashmir. Although both countries claim the whole of Kashmir as their own, they control two separate parts. The two territories of disputed Kashmir under the control of the two sides are determined by the Line of Control (LOC).

In 1948, a UN Security Council resolution mandated the holding of a plebiscite in the territory, allowing Kashmiris a choice between joining India or Pakistan.

But so far that proposal has not been implemented. However, in that referendum, there is no option of forming an independent state other than be parts the of two countries.

India has been rejecting such UN referendum.

New Delhi considers Kashmir as an internal isue.

In his speech on Friday, Imran Khan said his government was ready to hold talks with India again. But this discussion can only take place when India restores the special constitutional status of Kashmir. Source: Al Jazeera.