Islamabad: In the face of strong domestic criticism over his new formula to resolve Kashmir problem with India, President Pervez Musharraf today (Oct 30, 2004) said Pakistan has not given up its principled stand on the issue and a solution could be found only if both countries moved beyond their stated positions and showed flexibility.

Pakistan's principled stand on Kashmir remained the same, Musharraf said, addressing a meeting of the newly elected representatives of the Northern Areas Council in Rawalpindi.

"Both countries will have to show flexibility for finding a solution that is acceptable to them and the Kashmiris as well,'' State television quoted him as saying.

"The resolution of the dispute will be in the interest of peace and development of the region and all the parties concerned,'' he said.

Musharraf said he had not proposed any solution to Kashmir issue but only suggested a debate on different options to resolve it so that a solution could be identified.

It could be resolve only when Pakistan and India think for solutions by moving away from their stated positions.

He said he had only asked the media in Pakistan to identify various options and initiate a meaningful debate on them.