Saturday, October 22 2005 10:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee yesterday night (Oct 21, 2005) said Pakistan's suggestion to open the Line of Control (LoC) could not be done for 'anybody and everybody' but places could be identified from where relief material for earthquake victims could transit freely.

"If it (Islamabad's proposal) covers those carrying relief material, they can go without obstacles. Places could be identified for them. But it (LoC) cannot be opened for anybody and everybody," he told BBC's 'Asia Today' programme here.

Observing it was imperative that India and Pakistan should leave the past behind and move forward, he said the massive quake could not 'reverse' the process of the last 50 years but could certainly create an atmosphere where India could provide assistance to the victims across the LoC.

"Earthquake cannot alter the history of last 50 years and I am putting it very candidly. But it can provide an opportunity by creating an atmosphere where we can provide assistance to the victims and surely, in that condition, better understanding (between India and Pakistan) is possible," Mukherjee said.