ISLAMABAD, March 16: Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri on Thursday said that it would be easier to move forward on the Kashmir issue if progress could be achieved on Sir Creek and Siachen. However, he criticized the slow progress on Pakistan-India dialogue on the settlement of the Kashmir dispute.

“(If we) set Kashmir aside, even slightest progress cannot be achieved with regard to solution of minor disputes of the Sir Creek and the Siachen. Supporters of peace in this region are greatly disappointed by this slow-moving talks,” Kasuri said in an interview to a local television channel.

He said President General Pervez Musharraf wanted to seek a solution to the simmering Kashmir issue, which should be acceptable to all stakeholders.

“Pakistan wants durable peace in the region but it is impossible (to achieve) until a solution to Kashmir dispute (is found). No one can find solution to this issue without (keeping in mind) the wishes of the Kashmiris people”, he said.

Mr Kasuri said Pakistan was making accelerated diplomatic efforts following the president’s proposals on the Kashmir issue. “Pakistan has informed all major players of the world,” he said, adding that Pakistan knew bilateral efforts were needed to settle the issue. Terming the resolution of the Kashmir dispute in the interest of the international community, he said that resolving the issue was a the only way to move forward.

He said that Pakistan had held talks with US President George W. Bush and Britain Prime Minister Tony Blair and also held talks with foreign ministers of other countries on the issue.

He said that the world community had praised President Musharraf’s proposals on Kashmir and said that it clearly demonstrated a bold, courageous and flexible attitude.

He said that the present situation was better than in 2001, when both countries’ militaries were confronting each other on their common borders.—Online