Wednesday, April 6 2005 20:16 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Describing the Srinagar- Muzaffarabad bus service commencing tomorrow (Apr 7, 2005), as a step towards "lasting peace" in the region, Britain today (Apr 6, 2005) said that reuniting divided Kashmiri families on both sides of the LoC signalled a "new phase" in Indo-Pak ties.

"The agreement to run the bus reflected the flexibility and vision of the leaders of both the countries," British High Commissioner to Pakistan Mark L Grant said in a statement in Islamabad.

The bus promises to make a real difference in the lives of many Kashmiris on both sides of the LoC, Grant said adding, "Kashmiri families and friends, divided for so long, will be able to meet again, some for the first time in decades."

The bus service "is not the end of the road, but it is without doubt a step on the path to lasting peace and reconciliation and sends a clear signal to all friends of India and Pakistan of a new phase in their relationship."

"This region has come so far in the last three years. From the brink of conflict, we have now entered a time of genuine hope. As a close friend of both countries, the UK welcomes the progress being made through the ongoing dialogue between Pakistan and India," he said.

"We firmly believe a durable solution to all outstanding issues between the two countries, including Kashmir, can only be achieved through dialogue," the High Commissioner said.

He also welcomed increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries. "This is a tribute to courageous leadership in both Delhi and Islamabad and can only lead to increased stability and prosperity in the region," he said.