Islamabad: Expressing optimism over the current peace process with India, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has said the success of the confidence building measures (CBMs) initiated by both the countries would "largely" depend on the progress made to resolve the Kashmir issue.

"Success of CBMs would largely depend upon progress on the resolution of Kashmir issue, hence both need to move at tandem," Musharraf told a meeting of Army commanders in Islamabad yesterday.

On the Indo-Pak peace initiatives, he said, "Pakistan is sincere in its efforts and optimistic about the outcome."

He assured the Army top brass "in strongest terms" that Pakistan would maintain weapons deterrence in conventional and nuclear fields, as it was essential for ensuring peace and stability in the region, the State media reported.

"Defence of the motherland is the foremost responsibility of the armed forces. We will always come up to the expectations of the nation," he said, apparently referring to Pakistan test-firing the long-range Shaheen-II missile as well as continuation of nuclear programme despite the controversy over the scientists admitting transferring nuke technology.

Almost all the general officers of the rank of major general and above were attending the two-day meeting to discuss political and economic situation of the country as well as strategic and administrative issues.