Former Foreign Secretary Shamshad Ahmed Khan has said that dialogue is the only way to solve contentious issue like Kashmir because wars have not solved issues rather they have aggravated them.
Talking to PTV late Tuesday night the former Foreign Secretary said presently there is an elected government in country and it would be able to take the process of composite dialogue ahead in line with the wishes of people. He said that elected government would not compromise on principles and sit on the dialogue table on the basis of equality.
Shamshad said that normalcy of relations between India and Pakistan is imperative to bring peace in the region adding there is dire need of Kashmiris' specific Confidence Building Measures.
He said the human rights conditions in Indian Held Kashmir are critical which need urgent remedy. The former Foreign Secretary was of the opinion that during the past few years some out of the box flexibility was demonstrated by Pakistan but it could not yield the desired result.
He said the importance of CBMs and back channel diplomacy not withstanding they are no solution to the issues. The issues are always solved on the dialogue table and the parties should emphasise on this aspect, he said.
Shamshad said if the Indians do not demonstrate flexibility there is no need to show one-sided flexibility from Pakistan's leadership. He said that four-point formula of President Musharraf revolves around CBMs and it does not provide any lead for durable solution of the issue.
To a question, he said there is power of overwhelming majority of the people behind the present government and it will of course not bow to external pressure rather the decision would be made through parliament. He said the body language of the government reflects this phenomena and it is a good sign because its decisions would be more credible at home and abroad.