ISLAMABAD, April 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday that Pakistan desired peaceful settlement of the Kashmir issue in line with the wishes of the Kashmiri people. He was talking to the visiting Indian Chief Election Commissioner T.S. Krishna who called on him at the PM House.

The prime minister said President Pervez Musharraf’s recent visit to India was productive and the relationship and the atmosphere between the two countries were improving.

He said the start of Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus service and plans for Lahore-Amritsar bus and special buses for Sikh yatris and the proposed reopening of Khokhrapar-Monabao rail link were important confidence building measures as part of the composite dialogue process between the two countries.

Mr Aziz said more meaningful progress in bilateral ties could only be made if it moved in tandem with progress on the Kashmir issue.

He observed that innovative solutions will have to be found and both sides would have to demonstrate magnanimity, flexibility and courage in order to resolve complex issues.

Prime Minister Aziz also said during the meeting that elections played very important role in the democratic process.

He said a healthy parliament with a vibrant opposition was a guarantee for good governance.

The prime minister said the media in Pakistan enjoyed unprecedented freedom, which was an important element for strengthening democracy.

Mr Krishna apprised the prime minister of the role of the Indian Election Commission and said that complaints normally received by the commission included non-registration of voters, violation of the code of conduct and excessive expenditure.

He said the electronic voting machine installed by the Indian Election Commission had helped a great deal in the conduct of elections.—APP