Kashmir policy unchanged: Shaukat

Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Sunday reiterated Pakistan's position on Kashmir, saying there is no change in its policy.
"Pakistan's fundamental position on Kashmir remains the same and it desires a solution according to the wishes of Kashmiri people," Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz told reporters here at the Prime Minister secretariat.
He was responding to questions about suggestions by the President to discuss options on Kashmir during an Iftar hosted for journalists of the twin cities.
He said Pakistan seeks a peaceful solution of all outstanding issues with India including the lingering dispute of Jammu and Kashmir.
Prime Minister Aziz, however, stressed " sacrifices of Kashmiris will not go waste".
He said recent remarks of the President on Kashmir were to hold an internal debate to elicit public opinion, which might bring out options reflecting various shades of public opinion.
He said he would be visiting India soon after Eid and meet his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonic Gandhi.
"We wish to take the composite dialogue forward and talks are already going on at different levels."
To a question, he said both the countries need to move together in all their affairs. He said Pakistan will have its ties with India on the basis of principles and there will be no compromise.
The Prime Minister said country's economic growth rate was expected to exceed the target of 6.6 percent, according to the economic indicators of the first quarter.
He said the report of the State Bank of Pakistan is based on data of the last financial year. He said these figures indicate a positive growth as the cotton and rice crops are expected to exceed targets.
He said there has been decline in prices of herbicide while the agriculture credit has been enhanced and there has been improvement in other inputs, which would increase agricultural output.
He said water availability for the Rabi crop has also been good, while in the large scale manufacturing sector there has been increase of 16 percent in the first two months. All these, he said, indicate that the growth will be well above the target.
About increase in oil prices in the international market, the Prime Minister said: "We have been absorbing its effects so far, lets see what happens next."
When asked about a decision on construction of a major water reservoir, he said, silting of dams over years demands that a new dam is constructed. He said a decision will be made in consultation with the cabinet and the parliament.
To a question about the law and order in the country, he said, there have been improvements and law-enforcing agencies are being trained and better equipped to meet the challenge.
He said there has been an increase of 18 percent in domestic investments, while the import of machinery and raw material import has shown an increase of 38 percent, all indicate trust of investors in the country's security situation.
To a question about the abduction of Chinese engineer, he said adequate security measures have been taken for the protection of Chinese in the country.
He said China was Pakistan's trusted friend and had helped it in its economic development. He said it was the responsibility of the government to provide them security and was fulfilling its obligation.
About the excesses of police and the "thana culture" which has made the life of ordinary citizens miserable, the Prime Minister said, he would be addressing the nation before Eid and unveil plan about judiciary reform.
About bomb blast at a hotel in Islamabad, he said: "There has been no evidence of any explosive material at the scene."
The Prime Minister, to a question about parleys with the opposition, said talks at different levels were continuing, as the government believed in the policy of tolerance, reconciliation and consultation.
About talks with the PPP, he said government was in contact with all political parties.
About the matter of quorum in both houses of the parliament, he said it has been settled with effective handling of the chief whip.