Thursday, June 9 2005 08:22 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Expressing "sadness and surprise" over the resignation of L K Advani as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri has said that the leader of Opposition's comments on Muhammad Ali Jinnah helped in furthering the peace process between the two countries and his stepping down proved that there were extremist elements on both sides.

In his comments sent to sources in Islamabad from London while on transit to the US, Kasuri said in normal course he would not have commented on Advani's resignation as it was an internal matter of the party but at the same he could not ignore the "circumstances", which forced Advani and the possible implications of it.

"Advani's visit helped the ongoing peace process between Pakistan and India," he said, adding the two countries were committed to the peace process and there were strong constituencies for peace in both the countries. But at the same time, there were extremist elements on both sides as the turn of events had forced the resignation of Advani.

"Also Advani's statement on the greatness of the Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, his role in the independence movement and his reference to his first speech in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan had helped the younger generation understand better the real forces and events that led to the partition of the sub-continent," he said.

Advani's visit followed by that of moderate Hurriyat leaders to Pakistan and Petroleum Minister Mani Shanka Aiyar's was an indication on "how far the situation has changed", Kasuri said adding progress was needed in resolving the Kashmir issue along with other contentious issues like Siachin and Sir Creek.

"The two countries should work for resolving all outstanding issues with a vision and more importantly courage," he added.