Saturday, July 30 2005 10:56 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Apparently addressing India's concerns over militant training camps in Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf yesterday (July 29, 2005) said the situation is "on the mend" and asserted that the peace process was "very much on track."

"About the training camps, let me assure you that the situation is on the mend. There is improvement in every sphere of activity.

"But having said that we have responses which gives comfort to the people of Kashmir. That is what Pakistan looks forward," Musharraf told foreign correspondents in the garrison city of Rawalpindi near Islamabad.

He said that the peace process was very much on track despite a spate of recent rhetorical statements that followed remarks by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh made during his recent visit to Washington.

Singh during his US visit had expressed fears that Pakistan's nuclear programme may fall into the hands of Islamic militants. He had also said that acts of terrorism and infiltration could make it difficult for India to continue the peace process.

"Peace process is exactly where it was. Yes, indeed there is rhetoric, which gives an impression of going back or slowing down. But the reality is that inter-governmental relations on the issue of moving on CBMs and resolution of disputes have not slid back at all. So now there is no doubt in my mind that the peace process will continue," he said.

Musharraf said the two countries should take some "corrective action on rhetoric" and added "there was some rhetoric in United States by the Indian leadership and there is a counter rhetoric from this side. However, it has not affected the reality of the peace process.

"If we control all that, I am sure the peace process will continue to go forward. Our desire is to move forward. We should learn lessons from all that what has happened and do not get involved in issues that creates gulf between ourselves and hurt the peace process."

Musharraf said he looked forward to meeting Singh on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting to be held in September but the Indian Prime Minister is welcome to visit Pakistan prior to that.

"I also look forward to meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at least in September when I go to United Nations. If he wants to come here earlier he is much more than welcome. So the peace process is very much on the track."

Musharraf, who met the foreign media to brief them on the efforts being made by Pakistan to contain extremism in the country, asserted that the country's nuclear weapons are safe and there is no chance of extremists coming to power.

Apparently responding to fears expressed by Singh that there was a likelihood of Pakistan's extremist parties coming to power and seizing control of nuclear weapons, Musharraf said "all nuclear weapons in Pakistan are in safe hands and will not fall into the hands of the extremists," adding Pakistan will "never be ruled" by extremists.