Islamabad: Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf has called for settlement of the Kashmir problem to end a 'cycle of confrontation and conflict in the subcontinent' and ensure sustained peace in South Asia.
''Improved ties between India and Pakistan will not be possible until the two sides resolve their differences over Kashmir,''he said while talking to the Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan, who called on him on Tuesday evening.
General Musharraf said Pakistan wanted peace with India but the issue of Kashmir cannot be sidelined.
He expressed hope that the dialogue process with India would move forward.
He stressed that the dialogue should be result-oriented leading to the solution of the Kashmir problem and it should be acceptable to Islamabad, New Delhi and ''above all the people of Kashmir''.
He also said Pakistan was committed to the peace process and it would continue with its endeavours in this direction.
He said the proposal of demilitarisation of Kashmir and self-governance for people of the region with a joint management arrangement were a clear manifestation of this commitment.
The President congratulated the Prime Minister on his victory and expressed hope that the new government of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir would work for the socio-economic upliftment of the Kashmiris.
He assured the Prime Minister of full support of the government of Pakistan in reconstruction and rehabilitation of the areas of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir affected by last year's earthquake.
Sardar Attique thanked Musharraf and the government of Pakistan for providing timely support at the time of crisis.
He appreciated the efforts of President Musharraf for highlighting the issue of Kashmir at international and regional forums. He said the people of PoK were indebted to the President and the government of Pakistan for the unflinching support provided to the Kashmir cause.
Comments
0 comment