Aziz lauds PM for accepting proposals to resolve JK

Islamabad, Dec 19: Pakistan Premier Shaukat Aziz has lauded PrimeMinister Manmohan Singh for responding positively to the proposals madeby President General Pervez Musharraf to resolve the Kashmir issue.

''It will pave the way to find a solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and Kashmiris,'' he told reporters.

Prime Minister Singh had, last Saturday, welcomed PresidentMusharraf's four-point formula without actually making any directreference to it. ''We welcome efforts by whosoever talks aboutnormalising relations between India and Pakistan,'' he had said.

President Musharraf's formula, which he has made at least twice toIndian journalists since last August, includes demilitarisation,self-governance and joint management in Jammu and Kashmir.

''Pakistan always talked about the solution of Kashmir inaccordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiris and supported theirjust cause,'' Mr Aziz said, while emphasising the need to resolve theissue through negotiations.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri, who met a 10-memberEuropean Union parliamentary delegation yesterday, also believed thatthe ongoing dialogue provided the best opportunity to both thecountries to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir.

UNI

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