London: Indirectly admitting that there was cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan has said it does not have an Aladdin's lamp to put an end to it, but was ready to co-operate with India in this regard.

"We have never said there should be cross-border terrorism. What we have been saying is that our government is trying its level best to stop it," Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said in a phone-in to a BBC programme on June 1 night.

Pointing out that even America could not seal the border with Mexico, Kasuri said, "If some people go endangering their own lives and if the Indian Army, which is present in lakhs and is also along the LoC (line of control), cannot stop them, then which Aladdin's lamp do we have that we rub it and all this stops?"

Throughout the lengthy question and answer session, Kasuri emphasised the need for a sustained composite dialogue between Pakistan and India on all issues, including Kashmir, so that the "result would be good" and there would be peace and development in the region.

"Unfortunately, we have fought three wars with India, and last year we were close to a war. We should all try that now we do not think of a war, once we do that then levels of co-operation will increase.

"Once the Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers talk, I have full confidence that then the violence, hostility and militancy from both sides of the border would come down," Kasuri said.

Asked why the two countries could not accept the LoC as the international border between the two countries, the Pakistan Foreign Minister said, "Well, at the moment we are not talking of solutions. The ultimate solution would be one in which there would be no defeat for either India or Pakistan.

"It would be extremely foolish at this stage to talk of solutions. If we do that, then the efforts that we are making for a dialogue, would be sabotaged even before the talks. The journalists, columnists in both the countries are free to write as they have the freedom to do so. But those involved in the process – the Foreign Ministers, the Prime Ministers and the Presidents should not go into the details at this stage.

"If we do so, then both the sides would go back to their stated positions, India would say it is their integral part and Pakistan would say it is the Security Council resolution. Therefore, wisdom at this stage demands that we concentrate on the dialogue, which we say the talks about talks, and make progress. We should sustain the dialogue, continue talks if this proceeds, both sides would succeed."

Answering a question on India's demand that cross-border terrorism, especially from that of Pakistan- occupied Kashmir (PoK) would have to stop before resumption of dialogue, Kasuri said, "Well we have repeatedly been saying that we are trying, we have told the world about this. Your own retired Army chief general Padmanabhan has admitted this. Even Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, while speaking in the Lok Sabha mentioned this.

"We have said many times that once talks between India and Pakistan start, we would be in a position to raise hope for the Kashmiris. Once they have hope, things could change," Kasuri added.

PTI