Monday, June 6 2005 10:49 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Describing as "serious" Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf's remarks that both India and Pakistan had recognised the "disputed status" of Kashmir, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) yesterday (Jun 5, 2005) asked the Centre to make its position clear on the issue.

"President Musharraf's statement that both countries have recognised the 'disputed status' of Kashmir is serious and has far reaching consequences," BJP spokesman Prakash Javdekar told reporters in New Delhi.

The Hurriyat leaders have reached Islamabad without any entry on their Indian passport or Pakistan visa and Musharraf has made the statement on this very basis, he said.

"Centre should make its position clear on the issue," Javdekar said.

Taking objection to Musharraf's remarks, he said, "We do not agree with his contention. We are for peace but without any compromise to national security."

BJP had always maintained that the Hurriyat leaders should travel to Pak-occupied Kashmir (PoK) by the Muzaffarabad bus and they should visit Islamabad by the "passport-visa route."

"When the External Affairs Ministry made the Government's stand clear, we were under the impression that the Hurriyat leaders' visit would be within the declared parameters."

"But it seems that the Centre knowingly got entangled in this mesh," he said.

Musharraf had on Saturday (Jun 4, 2005) said the fact that Hurriyat leaders have not come on Indian passports and Pakistani visas is a recognition by the countries of the disputed status of Kashmir.