KARACHI, May 8: Federal Minister for Information and Media Development Shaikh Rashid Ahmed has said that present international environment is conducive to productive talks on all issues confronting the region, including Kashmir issue.

Besides, he said, there was also realization in India that people could not be enslaved by force and that peace in the region could not be established without resolving the Kashmir issue.

“We also believe that harmony and stability is not possible unless Kashmir issue is resolved,” he added.

The minister was expressing his views in response to a question about Pakistan’s optimism over an early resolution of Kashmir issue.

Shaikh Rashid Ahmed, who was chief guest at a literary sitting organized on Thursday in memory of the eminent poet, Syed Zamir Jafri, by Pakistan Arts Council, Karachi, was talking to a group of newsmen.

When requested to elaborate the basis of the optimistic approach suggesting the resolution of Kashmir year within three years, Shaikh Rashid cited international scenario where only two issues, Palestine and Kashmir, were left to be resolved. Besides, US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage had also declared Kashmir as the basic issue, he pointed out.

“All roads to peace pass through Srinagar,” he declared and added that peace was in the interest of both India and Pakistan. With the resolution of Kashmir issue, both the countries could live as good neighbours, he suggested.

The minister remarked that Mr Vajpayee had extended one hand of friendship and Pakistan responded by extending both the hands.

When asked whether the talks were being held under international pressure, the minister replied that he did not call it ‘pressure’ but ‘environment’ which forced India to come to the negotiation table.

Shaikh Rashid was asked whether Mr Vajpayee would be coming here or Prime Minister Zafarullah Jamali would be going to India for talks. “It’s irrelevant to see who would have to come or go to hold talks. What is important is that negotiations are to be held. We want to hold talks with open heart and in a friendly atmosphere,” he said.

To a question about possibility of lifting the ban on Indian TV channels, the minister said: “Let the good diplomatic relations be established between the two countries first, the TV channels issue can be taken up later on.”