Wednesday, April 27 2005 11:15 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Refuting allegations of any U-turn in Pakistan's policy towards Kashmir during his recent visit to India President Pervez Musharraf last night (Apr 26, 2005) said it was a complex issue with no timeframe fixed for its resolution and sought the support of all Pakistanis and Kashmiris for his initiatives to resolve it.

Speaking at an interactive programme on State-run PTV soon after attending a conference of top Pakistani Army commanders, Musharraf said he was working for early resolution of Kashmir issue more to alleviate suffering of Kashmiris than of Pakistanis.

He said of the three parties involved in Kashmir tangle, Kashmiris suffered the most followed by India and Pakistan suffered the least.

"What is the reason for me to take a U-turn? (laughs). My intentions are clear. I want to bring some relief to Kashmiris from their sufferings," Musharraf said.

Musharraf said he has made it clear to the Indian leadership during his visit to New Delhi that Line of Control (LoC) cannot be accepted as a border.

"The most sufferers in this problem are Kashmiris...They are the ones facing difficulties. Their lives are being lost and property is being destroyed. Their life is at stand still," he said in the programme excerpts of which were telecast by PTV.

He said no timeframe could be fixed to solve the Kashmir issue. "I want to say this to Pakistanis that this is such a complex issue that it requires a lot of application of mind and take it forward with great deal of thinking."

"This is a most difficult thing. I expect support in this difficult task. That is what I expect from all Pakistanis, because with full sincerity I want to try to resolve this issue once for all," the Pakistan President said.

"I want to tell all Pakistanis and specially Kashmiris through this programme that I want to say that whatever I am doing, it is for your sake. First, I am doing it for your sake and then only for Pakistanis. If I find later that somebody else can do better, then let him do it. Let him support you and take you towards peace," he said in an emotion-choked voice.

Musharraf said the number two sufferer in Kashmir issue was "quite clearly is India. They suffered a lot of casualties militarily. Their military is suffering" and India was made to spend a lot of money due to deployment of six to seven lakh troops in Kashmir, which also cast a shadow on India's image.

"Diplomatically, politically and internationally they are suffering. Their international image is suffering because in their house a freedom struggle is going on," he said adding "it is hurting India's ambitions" to become a UN Security Council (UNSC) permanent member.

"Pakistan is suffering the least. Yes, there is financial expenditure because of our troops there. But we are not suffering any casualties."

"There is an allegation against us that cross border terrorism is taking place. But we deny this and say a freedom struggle is taking place. Earlier, this allegation was against us but now it is no longer there. So what kind suffering we are going through?" Musharraf asked.

Yesterday, Musharraf told a conference of top Army commanders, considered the most influential body in the present power structure in Pakistan, that resolution of Kashmir issue continued to be the key to betterment of India-Pak relations and the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) have to move in tandem with the progress towards the resolution.

This was the first programme addressed by President Musharraf after returning from a tour of India, the Philippines and Indonesia.