ISLAMABAD, Jan 5: Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Northern Areas Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat has said no one can influence the constitutional status of Azad Kashmir, Gilgit and Baltistan.

"Pakistan will not relinquish Kashmiris' political and diplomatic support," he said while talking to a delegation of Muslim Conference, Britain, who called on him at his office on Wednesday.

The delegation led by the party's Britain chapter President Mehmood Riaz consisted of Sardar Iftikhar Rasheed Chughtai, Mohammad Sheraz and Gul Zeb Khan. The minister said Pakistan had categorically told India that the time of one-sided flexibility was over and continuity of talks between the two countries was essential for peace.

He said a debate should be conducted on all the suggestions presented for resolution of the Kashmir issue. Only a final view could be developed about the issue in this way, he added.

He praised President Pervez Musharraf's efforts for resolution of the Kashmir issue and said the president had presented composite suggestions on the issue. Mr Hayat said solution of the expatriate Kashmiris' problems was the top priority of the government. -PPI