Simla Accord still relevant: Jamiat chief

In a significant statement, Pakistani religious leader and chief of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam, Maulana Fazal-ur Rehman, on Thursday opposed mediation in the Kashmir issue.

"Kashmir is a big issue but both the countries have the Simla Agreement as a guiding principle to solve their disputes bilaterally," Rehman said on his arrival in New Delhi from the Darul Uloom University in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh.

Rehman, who is leading a four-member delegation to India, said there was no room for violence.

"The agreement is acknowledged internationally," he said.

The Pakistani religious leader, who lost the contest for prime ministership by a mere one vote, however, said that the Kashmir issue needed immediate attention.

Asked about India's assertion that Pakistan supported cross-border terrorism, Rehman said, "We are here to create goodwill and leave disputes for government to solve. Let us work towards building peace in the entire region."