United Nations: Pakistan on May 13 raised the Kashmir issue in the UN Security Council, saying there can be no "durable solution" to it unless aspirations of the people of the state are taken into consideration and Islamabad and New Delhi display flexibility, good will and wisdom.

Raising the issue during a debate on role of the Council in the Pacific settlement of disputes, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Muhammad Kasuri said he did not "wish to say anything that would vitiate the atmosphere for resumption of bilateral talks with India at the initiative of the Prime Ministers of two countries".

He said, "We are confident that the international community, especially the United Nations and UN Secretary General will extend their full support to Pakistan and India in their endeavours for peace."

Kasuri, however, said, it is a "historical fact" that the Council had adopted a resolution on April 21, 1948, promising a "free and fair" plebiscite under UN auspices to enable people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine whether they wish to join India or Pakistan."

PTI