Friday, May 27 2005 08:07 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf yesterday (May 26, 2005) told visiting US Assistant Secretary of State Christina Rocca that Indo-Pak relations have made "good progress" and asked the United States to "continue to encourage" New Delhi to take advantage of the improved ties and move towards the solution of the Kashmir issue.

During their meeting, Musharraf also told Rocca that Jammu and Kashmir remained the core issue that needed to be addressed urgently, State-run news agency reported.

Noting that Indo-Pak relations have made "good progress", Musharraf called on the US to "continue to encourage" New Delhi to take advantage of the improved situation and move towards a solution to Kashmir issue in the interest of durable peace and stability in the region, the agency said.

For her part, Rocca, who is on the second day of her three-day visit to Pakistan, said the US Government was appreciative of the President's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region. She said the US would continue to support the ongoing Pakistan-India peace process, it said.

The Indo-Pak peace process also figured in talks between Rocca and Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri, who told the US official that his Government was committed to a productive composite dialogue with India, which should focus on a resolution of all outstanding issues including Kashmir.

He felt associating the Kashmiris in the dialogue process would help achieve durable peace in South Asia, an official press release in Islamabad said.

Kasuri also sought to explain to Rocca the necessity of Islamabad opting for India-Iran gas pipeline project to be laid through Pakistan saying that its economy is growing at eight per cent and needs more avenues for energy supply.

The US has already conveyed its concerns to both India and Pakistan over the gas pipeline project in view of Washington's differences with Iran on nuclear proliferation related issues. Pakistan so far said it would decide on it by the end of this year. Islamabad also explored Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Qatar pipeline project.

Indian Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar is due in Pakistan on June 4 to discuss the fate of the project with Pakistani leaders.

During her talks with Musharraf, which touched on a host of other issues, including US-Pak strategic relations, Rocca also told him that her government is investigating the allegations of discretion of holy Quran by American security personnel at the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and promised to punish anyone found guilty.

Musharraf expressed dismay over the alleged desecration to Rocca and called for inquiry and bring those indulged in such a "shameful incident" to justice, sources said.

Pakistan's Islamist alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) has called for a nationwide protest today (May 27, 2005) over the issue of the alleged desecration.

MMA Secretary General and Leader of the National Assembly Fazlur Rehman was invited to a meeting held yesterday between Rocca and MPs from different parties. However, Rehman declined the invitation saying he preferred an exclusive meeting with her to explain his party's stand on various issues.