ISLAMABAD, Feb 2: Pakistan on Thursday reacted favourably to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s reported statement that his government was committed to “pragmatic and practical” solution to all outstanding problems between India and Pakistan, including the Kashmir issue.

Welcoming the Indian premier’s statement about engagement with Pakistan for “pragmatic and practical solution” of Kashmir issue, Foreign Office Spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said: “This is a positive statement and it indicates flexibility.”

She said that Pakistan had been emphasising that sincerity, flexibility and courage were required to address the Kashmir dispute.

The Indian prime minister made the statement just a day after President Pervez Musharraf said India “will have to take brave decisions” for Kashmir solution. Some believe this may be Manmohan’s response to Musharraf’s call.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s latest policy articulation seems to have given a new lease of life to what was being widely perceived as a ‘dead end’ on Kashmir. It comes less than two weeks after the launch of the crucial third round of the Indo-Pakistan Composite Dialogue.

Significantly, the Indian Premier’s reported statement that the government had to work harder in treating all Kashmiris humanely, as equal and empowered citizens, is a rare acknowledgement of the human rights violations in Kashmir at the highest political level in India.

Meanwhile, on Manmohan’s ruling out negotiations on transfer of Indian territory, response from a senior official here was: “But it is the disputed territory that we are talking about, not Indian.”—Q.A.