Islamabad: President Pervez Musharraf's statement that Pakistan has "left aside" UN resolutions on Kashmir has caused a flutter in political circles in Islamabad with the Government trying to backtrack.

Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid was today (Dec 19, 2003) quoted as having said that the President has not dropped the call for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

"He's not dropping the call of plebiscite. He's saying that we can think of certain other things, we have some alternative proposals," Rashid said.

The Minister declined to outline the alternative proposals saying that Musharraf would raise them with Indian leaders when "serious talks" are held.

Even Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, who normally reflects the views of the military ruler, was caught off-guard by the President's comments. When Musharraf's interview to Reuters was being telecast on Pakistani television channels, Jamali appeared to be unaware and insisted on implementation of UN resolutions to find a just and durable solution to the Kashmir issue.

While the President's remarks evoked strong reactions from Islamic and moderate political parties, Pakistani media was divided with one section terming it as a new Kashmir paradigm while another describing it as shocking.

Pakistan Foreign Office, which routinely reiterates the need for implementation of UN resolutions with monotonous regularity, put up a brave face by stating that Musharraf has been quoted out of context in the interview.

Foreign Office spokesman Masood Khan claimed that Musharraf did not state that the resolution of the issue should not be in accordance with UN resolutions.

Khan told a private television channel that as stated by Musharraf, Kashmir issue could only be resolved by showing flexibility from both sides and not unilaterally.

"Both India and Pakistan should find a midway to resolve the issue for the durable peace in the region but only which is acceptable to Kashmiris," he said quoting Musharraf.

The spokesman said Pakistan could neither sideline nor forget the Kashmir issue and would pursue it on every front.

The main opposition to Musharraf's comments came from hardline Islamist party Jamat-e-Islami, considered to be patron of Pakistan-based militant groups like Hizbul Mujahideen.

Accusing Musharraf of entering into a "bargain deal" over Kashmir with India, the Jamat chief Khazi Hussain Ahmad said the General was pursuing a dangerous policy.

Hussain, who is currently leading an agitation for the ouster of Musharraf, said the Islamist parties would not allow the military ruler reversing Pakistan's Kashmir policy.

Pakistan Muslim League-N, headed by ousted Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, said Musharraf's "turnaround" was an attempt to appease his "foreign masters".

PTI

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