Muzaffarabad: Contending that leaders from both sides of Kashmir will have to sit together to find a solution to the five-decade old problem, Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) President Maj Gen (Retd) Sardar Mohammed Anwar Khan has said he was willing to meet Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mufti Mohammed Sayeed and his predecessor Farooq Abdullah.

"I am willing to meet anyone including Mufti Sayeed and Farooq Abdullah besides the Hurriyat Conference," Khan told a delegation of Indian journalists, visiting this part of Kashmir for the first time under the aegis of South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA).

Spotlight: Kashmir is NOT negotiable

"After all, the Kashmiris have to sit together and work for a solution to the dispute which has been dogging South Asia for last five decades," Khan said.

Asked about his views on the proposed Muzaffarabad - Srinagar bus service, the former Army general did not show much of enthusiasm saying that running of the bus was not the solution of the Kashmir problem.

"This could be seen as one of the confidence building measures but not the solution to the problem," he said.

Khan said that with the entire South Asia becoming nuclear and the fact that the two countries had already fought three wars on Kashmir, it was necessary for the two nations to sit and discuss the problem and allow Kashmiris to decide about their fate.

When asked by a reporter why there was no preparation from Muzaffarabad side in constructing a metal road up to Chakoti, he said, "as and when the proposal is through, it will not take more than a day to construct it."

The General preferred to remain silent when asked how free "Azad Kashmir" was and what his comments were about the violation of fundamental rights of people in this State as reported by the Pakistan Human Rights Commission.

The President maintained that the Northern Areas were part of Jammu and Kashmir.

When asked as to why there was no road network from Muzaffarabad, he said "it is not possible physically."

The General was supportive of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's recent proposals about Kashmir and said it was only aimed at generating a debate on Kashmir.