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Washington: Former Prime Minister of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) Sardar Abdul Qayyum Khan has categorically rejected the "peace formula" suggested by Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) leader Fazlur Rehman for restoring Pakistan's ties with India, saying it was "very hypothetical".

Khan, who was last week attending an international conference on Kashmir, said Rehman's proposal, announced during a private visit to India, depended a lot on "winning the support of all sides".

Khan said there would be many problems with converting the Line of Control (LoC) into an international border as suggested by Khan.

Asked what would be the best final solution for Kashmir, he said, "There are many best solutions. The key lies with India."

This view was echoed throughout the conference sponsored by the Washington-based Kashmiri American Council. 'Kashmir Times' Editor-in-Chief Ved Bhasin suggested that India should declare a unilateral ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Dialogue can only start in a climate of peace. For that purpose, I personally suggest that hostilities must cease immediately from all sides. And, in this regard, I believe the Government of India should take an initiative," he said. He predicted that if India took that step, militants in Jammu and Kashmir would follow suit.

Pakistan's former Foreign Minister Inamul Haq too cast doubt on the feasibility of the LoC as a permanent border. "The status quo is the problem, not the solution," he said.

He also said it was his understanding that Maulana Fazlur Rehman had denied acknowledging such a solution as a possibility.

On the question of cross-border terrorism, Haq said while Pakistan is committed to stopping the violence, there is "no way on earth" the government can ensure there will be absolutely no movement across the border. He also said that if India believes such movement is taking place, it should allow an impartial, international presence on the ground to verify its claims.

Conference participants were reluctant to discuss their ideas on a final solution for Kashmir, preferring to focus instead on how to get a dialogue started between India and Pakistan.

ANI