Friday, November 4 2005 16:28 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Islamabad: Pakistan has said the Indo-Pak agreement to open five points to enable Kashmiris on both sides to meet would 'soften' the LoC, reduce tension between the two countries and help settle the Kashmir issue.

"By softening the LoC, the tension mounting in the region will ease and burden on Kashmiris on both sides will lessen," Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri said in Lahore yesterday (Nov 3, 2005).

"The Government wants unlimited access from both sides of the LoC that would pave the way for a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem," he said, adding India's consent was crucial for having this arrangement materialised.

Responding to a question about formally opening up the LoC, he said India has sought 10 days to finalise the LoC opening at five points. He said President Pervez Musharraf's proposal for unlocking the LoC would yield positive results in bringing Kashmir to its logical solution.

India and Pakistan last week agreed to open five centres on the LoC to provide relief and medical assistance to quake victims from both sides of Kashmir.

The two sides agreed to open crossings at Nauseri-Tithwal, Chakoti-Uri, Hajipur-Uri, Rawalakot-Poonch and Tattapani-Mendhar to allow the quake affected people of Kashmir especially from divided families to meet each other.

"We have fought three wars, besides taking other steps (to resolve Kashmir issue) but nothing worked so far. We believe the proposal would go a long way in settling Kashmir," Kasuri was quoted as saying.