Islamabad: After creating a stir in Pakistan by suggesting conversion of line of control (LoC) as a permanent border with India, former Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Premier Abdul Qayyum Khan has said India or US should come out with an initiative to resolve the Kashmir issue as Islamabad is unable to suggest a new proposal due to its long-standing position.

Pakistan has been unable to come out with an initiative due to its long-standing position and therefore some move should be initiated by India or the US to settle the issue, said Qayyum, the outgoing chairman of Pakistan's Kashmir Committee.

"If there is any proposal from US or India, we should not reject it outright, rather we should give thought to it, discuss it and see its application," he was quoted in the media on January 4 as saying in Muzafarabad, capital of PoK.

Qayyum said any such proposal forwarded by India and the US should be discussed by India, Pakistan and Kashmiri leaders together so that they can jointly find a solution.

Urging President Pervez Musharraf to come out with new policy initiatives on Kashmir, Qayyum again said Pakistan should consider all options, including conversion of the LoC as permanent border to resolve the vexed issue.

"We should be prepared to discuss any options with an open mind to resolve the Kashmir issue, be it making the LoC a permanent boundary, making the entire Kashmir independent or any other option," he was quoted as saying.

Qayyum's recent remarks favouring conversion of LoC as a permanent border created a controversy in Pakistan and drew sharp comments from the media. Last week he denied ever suggesting the LoC option but his comments now reiterate his previous stand.

His comments came as the term of the Committee appointed by Musharraf last year was scheduled to end by January 14. According to media reports, Musharraf has already informed Qayyum about plans of dissolving the body and appointing new members from all four provinces and Kashmir.

PTI