New Delhi: Pushing for a "reasonable timeframe" to resolve the "complex" Kashmir issue, Pakistan today (Sep 8, 2004) said the Simla accord does not exclude the "international character" of Kashmir, indirectly suggesting third party involvement in it.

"There should be reasonable timeframe. Can you say no, it should be unreasonable?" he said when asked about the road map ahead to resolve Indo-Pak issues during an interview with Doordarshan.

When reminded that the 1972 Simla Agreement talked about resolving the J and K issue through dialogue between the two countries, he said, "The Simla accord while encourages bilateral talks does not exclude the international character of Kashmir."

Describing Kashmir as a "complex" problem, he said it was, however, not intractable and given the political will could be resolved in an amicable and peaceful manner.

On apprehensions of the region becoming a nuclear flashpoint he said, "We continue to talk to each other. I think that will make sure that this doesn't happen. So let's continue to talk to each other."

Kasuri, who held two days of parleys with External Affairs Minister K Natwar Singh in New Delhi, said they would be meeting again later this month on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly session ahead of first-ever talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf in New York which is likely to take place on September 22.

Kasuri said he would be meeting Singh almost once a month in the remaining part of this year starting with New York, then in Dhaka for the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation) Ministerial and Islamabad.

"This is a positive thing," he said adding at every meeting they would review progress in the composite dialogue process.

Asked about the road map for the two countries for tackling bilateral issues, he said, "The road ahead is that Pakistan and India must talk to each other on all issues including Jammu and Kashmir."

About India's concerns on cross-border terrorism, Kasuri said that Pakistan's efforts in the war on this scourge were internationally recognised.

He said India felt that Pakistan was selective in this fight but stressed this was not the case.

Kasuri, who called on the Prime Minister and met other leaders, said he had got a detailed briefing from ISI (Inter State Intelligence) before his five-day visit.

The impression he got was that infiltration levels have gone down, Kasuri said adding some statements emanating from Indian leaders also spoke in the same vein.

It was acknowledged that this was partly due to efforts from the Pakistani side as also because of the fence being erected by India on its side of the border.

Observing that militancy in J and K started 18 years back, he pointed out that Pakistan has been supporting the Kashmir cause since 1947. "Our position is known to India."