Pakistan on Tuesday reiterated that its policy on Kashmir remained unchanged, but called for a mutual flexibility and the need for creating a new environment for the resolution of the lingering dispute.
"Pakistan has not changed its policy on any aspect of Jammu and Kashmir - there is no back tracking," Foreign Office Spokesman Masood Khan told a weekly news briefing.
However, he underlined the need for moving forward and resolving the dispute, which required flexibility, sincerity and boldness from both Pakistan and India.
"To resolve the issue, we need courage, boldness, we have to create a new environment for the resolution of the Kashmir issue," he added.
The spokesman made it clear that there would not be any "unilateral flexibility as when we are in negotiations, there has to be a flexibility on both the sides".
Referring to the October 25 statement by President General Pervez Musharraf, Masood said the Foreign Office had already issued a clarification and the president himself has spoken on it.
He said that the president did not present any new solution. The president was interested in media initiating a debate on the possible options as it could work as a catalyst in carrying forward the debate, the spokesman added.
The spokesman recalled the New York meeting between President Musharraf and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during which the two leaders described as 'historic' and they agreed to explore possible options on the Kashmir issue.
He called on the people of Pakistan and Kashmir to work hard to explore options and look at the possible solutions.
To a question, the spokesman said, there was no agreed formula yet on the Kashmir issue.
He said that both the sides have just completed the first round of dialogue process and there were new hopes after the meeting between President Musharraf and Manmohan Singh as both talked about exploring possible options.
He said Pakistan had always taken the Kashmiri people into confidence and wants them to be associated with the dialogue process as soon as possible.
To another question, he said, dates for Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz's visit to India have not yet been announced but an agenda for talks was being worked out through diplomatic channels.
The spokesman rejected a report in the Indian media that Pakistan was creating hurdles in the initiation of proposed bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar.
He, however, said that there were some issues like documentation for travelling which were to be resolved. The people of the occupied Kashmir did not want the Indian passport to visit Azad Jammu and Kashmir, he added.
Pakistan, he added, was facilitating and not obstructing the proposal and wide range of issues would be discussed when officials of both the countries meet on December 7-8.
The spokesman said reunification of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) was a desirable goal and it should unite.
He said the Kashmiri leaders were making efforts in this respect and "Pakistan trusts their wisdom and skills".
On Saarc, Masood Khan said that it was a matter of pride for Pakistan to chair the regional grouping. He said Pakistan had three priorities to take the Saarc process forward, energy co-operation and poverty alleviation.
"All members have co-operated in achieving these objectives, they (members) (have) trust in Pakistan," he added. The spokesman noted a marked improvement in the Saarc process as compared to the situation last year as differences between Pakistan and India had rendered it in a state of paralysis.
He said after assuming the chair, Pakistan tried to reinvigorate the organisation which now has an observer status in the United Nations and could also enter into partnership with important countries and other regional groupings.
While commenting on a news report by an American TV channel, the spokesman said nobody knows where Osama bin Laden is. He said whenever there was any intelligence report, there would be action against as the war against terrorism was going on.
On the UN reforms, he hoped these would be comprehensive and enjoy the support of the majority.
He said Pakistan has regretted the killing of Muslims in Thailand and has raised the issue with the Thai government.