Islamabad: In an apparent attempt to allay fear of any compromise on Kashmir, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf today (Jan 8, 2004) assured the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) leaders that the aspirations of the Kashmiris would be kept in mind while working out any agreement with India on the vexed issue.

Musharraf met PoK's President Sardar Anwar Khan, Prime Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan and a host of other Kashmiri leaders and apprised them about the discussions he had with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, following which the two countries agreed to hold composite dialogue on all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir, next month.

Briefing the media immediately after the meeting, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said the President explained the modalities for talks and took the Kashmiri leaders into confidence over his parleys with the Indian leader.

After an elaborate explanation by Musharraf, Pakistan-based Kashmiri leaders reposed their confidence in the President and hoped that he would ensure justice for Kashmiris, Sheikh Rashid said.