ISLAMABAD, April 23: Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed has said that Pakistan still maintains that the Kashmir dispute should be resolved according to the UN resolutions; however, if India shows flexibility, Pakistan will reciprocate. Speaking at a press conference at the PTV headquarters here on Saturday, he said progress has been made on the Kashmir issue.

“It is an important issue. We want a resolution which is acceptable to the Kashmiri people,” he said, adding Pakistan stood by its position for a plebiscite in Kashmir.

“Pakistan won the match on cricket pitch but outside the cricket ground also we did not lose any match, which was tough,” he said while referring to Pakistan cricket team’s wins in India and its president’s talks with the Indian leadership.

The minister said he still holds on to his earlier statement, made at Lahore Press Club, in which he had said the Kashmir issue would be resolved in two to three years.

Answering a question, Mr Ahmed said Pakistan wanted the Kashmiri leadership to visit Pakistan and added: “President Pervez Musharraf has talked to the leaders of three (Kashmiri) groups in New Delhi. He had a frank and candid discussion with Shabbir Shah, Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Geelani.”

“If these Kashmiris talk to Pakistani leadership, they can hold discussions with the Indian leadership too,” said Mr Ahmed.

“When they (the Kashmiri leaders) come to Pakistan, we will accord them a historic reception,” he added.

He said more land routes in Kashmir should be opened as most of the passengers of the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus had to travel up to 16 hours extra to reach Srinagar.

He said a large number of people (from Azad Kashmir) did not actually go to the valley but to Poonch, Uri, Jammu and other districts of held Kashmir where they had relatives.

The minister said Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had accepted the invitation for an official visit to Pakistan.

Answering a question on talks with local political parties, he said: “Doors for reconciliation are never closed in politics. Whatever steps the government takes are for the welfare of the people.” —-APP