Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid Ahmed on Tuesday expressed hope that serious dialogue between India and Pakistan would be held after the Indian parliamentary elections.
"No matter which party comes to power in India, the process of dialogue will continue as the leadership of both countries have acknowledged the vitality of the dialogue process for seeking peaceful resolution of bilateral issues including the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir," Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said while talking to a 3-member delegation of media-men from United Arab Emirates UAE.
He said, besides India and Pakistan, the international community is keen to see peaceful settlement of over the 50 years old issue of Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister said the process of composite dialogue has already been initiated when the foreign secretaries of both the countries met in Islamabad recently. The first phase of dialogue concluded with a positive note and the both sides conceded to keep discussing the issues for their ultimate settlement.
They also agreed to form a number of technical committees to deliberate upon different issues, the minister added.
He said though the dates for the first meeting of the foreign ministers of both countries has yet not been decided but they may meet in the third quarter of this year some time.
The minister said any settlement of the Kashmir issue would be reached keeping in view the aspirations of the Kashmiri people as they have rendered countless sacrifices for their just cause and in accordance with the UN resolutions.
Answering a question, he said, the majority of Kashmiri people are in support of seeking the resolution of the issue in accordance with UN resolutions while a handful of others want an independent homeland.
Answering another question, he said, there was no external pressure, but both countries being sovereign states have decided to hold composite dialogue for achievement of lasting peace in the region.
To a question about nuclear proliferation, he said, the government of Pakistan had conducted a thorough probe into the matter and found some individuals responsible for it.
The minister reiterating country's resolve, said, we are complying with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) policy of non-proliferation.
He said, Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan was pardoned by the President seeing his exceptional services for the country in the field.
About the health of the nuclear scientists the minister said, he is well and fine.
The minister highlighted the need for having a powerful media organisation of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) to counter the baseless and unfounded propaganda against the Muslims.
Referring to the last meeting of OIC countries, he said, there was a consensus on the formation of OIC Media organ but any practical step is yet awaited.
When asked about thin tourism activity in the country, he pointed out, the tourism sector suffered due to 9/11 incident as the whole world is observing stringent security measures and had been issuing tour advisories time to time that concerns the people.
Secretary Information and Broadcasting Syed Anwar Mahmood and senior officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.