Islamabad: Asserting that Kashmir cannot be sidelined in talks between India and Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf has said the two neighbours need to move forward by making progress in dialogue that would address all issues, including Jammu and Kashmir.

"Kashmir cannot be sidelined. This has been accepted in the agreement between myself and (Prime Minister Atal Bihari) Vajpayee," he said referring to the joint statement issued after his meeting with the Indian leader on January 5 in Islamabad.

"So all that I say is we have reached a start point. We are at the start point. This is a very good beginning. We need to move forward towards an end. A move forward will be when the dialogue moves forward and addresses all issues including Kashmir. I am very hopeful that with sincerity and resolve on both sides we will address all issues," he said addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos last night (Jan 22, 2004).

The General said, "For the first time there is a realisation that we need to address all issues including Kashmir to bring peace and harmony to the region. This is my hope for the future."

Musharraf said he believed the way forward was to initiate a composite dialogue, which included Kashmir and all other issues.

To a question, Musharraf said the biggest challenge faced by Pakistan is sustaining the economic development in the country.

The other challenge, Musharraf said, was to contain sectarianism and religious extremism in the country. "Sectarian and religious extremism must be eliminated from our society. That is what is zapping our energies and impede our progress."

Musharraf also said Pakistan initiated stringent measures to prevent nuclear proliferation by questioning the top scientists of the country.

He said investigations were being carried out to find out whether for personal gains somebody did something wrong.

He said that anyone found guilty would be treated as "Anti-State Element".

Musharraf also said the country's nuclear weapons were in safe hands. "Let me assure you Pakistan is an extremely responsible State. All strategic assets are under total custodial control. Pakistan Government has never and will never proliferate."

"There are aspersions on some Pakistani scientists but they are not alone. There are aspersions on scientists of other countries and those belonging to the underworld. This needs to be investigated," he said.