The Hindu : International / India & World : No change in Pakistan's stand on J&K: Musharraf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Oct 31, 2004

International

International - India & World

No change in Pakistan's stand on J&K: Musharraf

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD, OCT. 30. The Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, has said that Pakistan has not given up its principled stand on Jammu and Kashmir issue.

Addressing the newly-elected members of the Northern Areas Legislative Council in Rawalpindi today, he said a solution to the `lingering dispute' could only be found if both Pakistan and India agreed to move beyond their stated positions.

Gen. Musharraf told the members that he did not spell out any solutions to the long-standing issue the other daybut had only asked the media to identify the options and start a meaningful debate on them.

In his comments to the media, Gen. Musharraf had suggested that Jammu and Kashmir be treated as seven `regions.' According to him, two are on the Pakistani side and the rest on the Indian side. He became the first Pakistan leader to bring the Northern Areas, part of erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, on the table for resolution of Kashmir.

He told the legislators that a solution should be acceptable to Pakistan, India and the Kashmiri people. Both countries will have to show flexibility in finding a solution.

Commitment

An official statement said that he reiterated the Government's commitment to bring the remote and neglected areas into the main stream of socio-economic development. Referring to his recently announced 500 million Pakistani rupees development package for the Northern Areas, he said it would empower the people both politically and economically.

He underlined that the country has to bolster its image by discouraging extremism and sectarianism. Any act of militancy damages the prospects of foreign tourists visiting the country so we must curb extremist tendencies and foster unity and tolerance for creating favourable conditions for our long-term development.

Referring to the regional and international scenarios, Gen. Musharraf said the country needs stability to continue its march on the path of economic progress as well as to overcome internal and external challenges. .

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