Islamabad: Hailing as "a leap forward" the decision to resume Indo-Pakistan composite dialogue, President Pervez Musharraf tonight (Jan 6, 2004) promised not to allow terrorism and extremism from the Pakistani soil and also offered to "facilitate" cessation of violence in Jammu and Kashmir.

At a 75-minute long press conference at the Presidential Palace in Islamabad, the General praised the statesmanship and vision of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee whose telephone call to him this morning had "sealed the deal". Both sides had shown "flexibility' to "make history", he said.

Describing himself as a happy man, Musharraf warned that extremist elements in both the countries could try to sabotage the agreement but as long as the two Governments had the sincerity progress would be made.

In his view the highlights of the joint statement were that it recognised Kashmir as an issue, it committed the two countries to a composite dialogue covering all issues including Kashmir and provided for a sustained movement forward of confidence-building measures (CBMs). The three points were linked and there was spontaneity in them, he said.

Stating that he did not have a "whistle" to stop violence in Kashmir, the Pakistani leader added he could nevertheless "facilitate" that because he presumed his word carried "some weight" in the Valley. But the effectiveness of his word would be enhanced only if the Indo-Pak dialogue moved forward and addressed all issues including Jammu and Kashmir.