ISLAMABAD, Nov 9: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sheikh Rashid has said that Gwadar port will play key role in the development of the country and will help strengthen its economy.

He was speaking to a local satellite TV channel. Gwadar port, he said, would also usher in a new era of development in Balochistan.

The minister said that some people who are against the development of the province were creating problems. However, he said, the government had constituted a committee to solve the problems with the Baloch leaders.

In response to a question, he said no durable solution to the Kashmir issue could be found without consulting the Kashmiris.

When asked about the president's proposals on Kashmir, he said President Pervez Musharraf had put forward these suggestions for debate only. He said: "President Pervez Musharraf took the right decision at the right time on Kashmir issue."

In response to a question, he said timely and wise decisions taken by President Pervez Musharraf had helped the country to come out of an international crisis.

He said the country handled the Afghan and terrorist issues very wisely.

Sheikh Rashid said Pervez Musharraf had taken all decisions in the supreme national interest.-APP