Pakistan on Monday said it will be able to stop cross-border activity 'more effectively' only if there is a meaningful and 'unconditional' dialogue with India.
Talking on BBC World television channel, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri dismissed the view that Inter-Services Intelligence is supporting militancy in Jammu and Kashmir. "ISI is not an independent entity, it is answerable to the government of Pakistan and there is no way it can have an independent agenda."
He said, "[if a meaningful dialogue starts] then we will tell the Kashmiris why are you blowing yourselves up...there will be a future for you. Pakistan and India will arrive at an arrangement, in which your aspirations will be reflected."
Welcoming the statesmanship shown by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee for his initiatives, Kasuri said the Indian leader should 'accept the fact that the government of Pakistan is equally interested [in improving bilateral ties]'.
"India will not admit state terrorism and we will not admit the fact that we are facilitating the entry of people. So, the only civilised way of conducting business under the circumstances is to have an unconditional dialogue," Kasuri said.
On ISI being accused of backing militant outfits, he said, "There is lot of propaganda about this. In ISI, basically 90 per cent of the officers are Pakistan army officers and they don't stay for more than two-three years and if they want their career advancement, they have to follow orders."
Emphasising that he was among those who have been committed to improving ties with India, Kasuri said even before he became a minister, he was involved in track-two diplomacy. "Let's not always talk in accusatory terms. Now, we are doing our best."
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