'Yes, there are terrorists and terrorist camps in Pak': Zardari

New Delhi, Jul 5 (UNI) Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-Chairman Asif Ali Zardari has admitted to the presence of terrorists and terrorist-training camps in his country and said that India-Pak relations should not be held hostage to the Kashmir issue.

''Yes, there are terrorists and terrorist camps in Pakistan.

We are fighting a battle against them in the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP),'' Mr Zardari said in an interview with a television channel.

Asserting that Indo-Pak relations should not be held hostage to the Kashmir problem, he said the issue was, no doubt, important for both countries, but work on other fronts could go a long way in strengthening bilateral ties.

''Kashmir is important not only for Pakistan, but for India also. But I do feel that Indo-Pak relations can be strengthened on other fronts and they should not be held hostage to the Kashmir issues,'' he added.

Describing UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi as a ''great leader of India,'' Mr Zardari said he was learning from Ms Gandhi how to run a coalition government.

Holding President Pervez Musharraf and Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) chief Nawaz Sharif responsible for the Kargil, conflict Mr Zardari said President Musharraf should be given a graceful exit.

He, however, refused to give any deadline.

''I am not soft on Musharraf. My way of dealing with him is different. He will go. I can't tell the time but we want a graceful exit for him. Yes, he will go but there is no deadline,'' the PPP leader said.

He advocated a visa-free regime for Indian citizens travelling to Pakistan and said he would be the first to back the proposal.

''Yes, I am in favour of that (visa-free regime). If he (Nawaz Sharif) brings such a proposal in Parliament as a Bill, I will be the first one to second it,'' Mr Zardari added.

UNI RB SB GC1848