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Pak may propose formula on Kashmir

Pakistan may propose a formula on Kashmir, including grant of some degree of autonomy to the state, during the forthcoming Indo-Pak summit, The Washington Times reported on Saturday from Islamabad.

"The favoured idea at present is to grant Kashmir some degree of autonomy, declare a demilitarised zone, soften the border restrictions and allow trade to begin," the daily said.

"Forward movement is possible, provided the two sides come to the negotiating table with open minds and agree to show some flexibility in their stated positions on Kashmir," The Times quoted Pakistani military ruler General Pervez Musharraf as saying.

Musharraf's task in the coming months is to sell that flexibility to the 140 million Pakistanis, who expect him both to stand up for Kashmir and bring an economic turnaround at home, it said.

Senior Pakistani officials accept that little of substance is likely to come out of the first round of talks. A joint statement to meet again would be regarded as a major success. Yet the regime knows any significant step forward in later negotiations will demand painful compromises, it said.

"Now the opportunity has come up. He (Musharraf) has to do something which dilutes Pakistan's previously stated position on Kashmir. A lot of people in Pakistan will say he is being soft on India. Whatever is agreed, he must succeed in selling it to domestic public opinion," said Rifat Hussain of Quaid-i-Azam University.

"Musharraf's aceptance of New Delhi's invitation for a summit to discuss the intractable dispute over Kashmir marks his emergence as a leader with whom India believes it can deal," the daily said.

PTI

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Kashmir: The Complete Coverage

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