ISLAMABAD, Oct 25: President of Qaumi Jamhoori Party (QJP) Air Marshal Asghar Khan (retired) has welcomed the 12-point announcement of the Indian government and said it is a step towards easing the prevailing tensions between the two nuclear foes in South Asia.

Such measures can act as confidence-building tools between the two states and can ease the lives of people travelling between India and Pakistan. However, he reiterated his position on Kashmir issue i.e. establishing it as an independent state and India and Pakistan sharing responsibility for its defence.

He said unless the leadership on both sides did not sincerely apply themselves and engage with each other to resolve this issue, any improvements between the relations of the two countries would not be sustainable.

He was called upon by well-respected veteran peace activist Nirmala Deshpande from India who was accompanied by A.R. Shaheen, member of Lok Sabha from Baramula and two MNAs from Pakistan, Chaudhry Manzoor and Qamaruz Zaman Kaira. Air Marshal Asghar Khan welcomed them and emphasized the need for such visits and interactions.

He also appreciated the role of Nirmla Deshpande in promoting people to people contact. He hoped that the government would respond in a positive way.