Pakistan on Tuesday said both Islamabad and New Delhi will have to show flexibility in their rigid stated positions to move forward towards lasting resolution of Kashmir issue to ensure durable peace in South Asia.
In an interview with CNBC TV, Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri said both the sides would have to show flexibility, as any unilateral decision would be unacceptable.
"We have to find a solution acceptable to Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir," he said, adding that President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had agreed at their meeting in New York last month to explore various options to resolve the issue of Kashmir.
"Stated positions have become so rigid, if both the sides wish to move ahead, they need to show movement in public as well," he said, adding, "There is a need to think beyond stated positions."
The president's proposal should be read in context of the statement made by him, he said, adding that the purpose is to start a debate on various options for the resolution of the Kashmir issue.
If the debate starts, it will also help the official level process in moving forward, he said.
"We wish to have normal relations with India. In order to have durable peace, we will have to get Kashmir (issue) out of the way," he said.
Kashmir problem cannot be resolved unless the people of Kashmir are somehow involved in the dialogue process, he added.
Kasuri said, "That is why we keep on saying all the time, please involve the people of Kashmir so that they have some sense of ownership."
To a question about the options presented by President Musharraf on Kashmir, Kasuri said, the president spoke about various options to resolve Kashmir issue that were beyond the stated position of Pakistan.
The foreign minister said Pakistan is prepared to move forward if India is ready to respond in the same manner.
"It cannot be unilateral. This we have said before and the reason is that the people of Kashmir have to be satisfied that what we are looking forward, is durable peace in South Asia."
To another question about the details of the president's proposals to resolve Kashmir issue, the foreign minister said, President Musharraf at least deserve the credit for having started the debate on various options for resolving the Kashmir issue.
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