NEW DELHI, Oct 15: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that Pakistan is not rigid about a timeframe for the resolution of the Kashmir issue but sought instead tangible progress on it within a reasonable period of time , The Asian Age quoted him as saying on Friday.

"It could be three months for you, three years for us," Mr Aziz told the Age in an interview in Islamabad. But, he added: "There is a feeling in Pakistan that we should show tangible progress within a reasonable period of time."

He said the government was optimistic and was "watching how things develop" in their Kashmir talks. He said both governments should work on "areas where there is higher probability of success" and continue discussions on the others.

The premier was quoted as seeking a 'level of trust' with New Delhi as peace was necessary for the realization of the full potential of India, Pakistan and the region in general.

The paper said Mr Aziz was enthusiastic in his support for the Iran-India gas pipeline, pointing out that the two countries, with their rate of growth, definitely needed more hydrocarbons.

He denied having linked the pipeline to progress on Kashmir, maintaining that it was a "good confidence-building measure. It makes economic sense for all of us". "My approach would be, if it makes bottom-line sense, get on with it," he said.

Asked to comment on his new job, he replied: "It is not easy. If you want to be a reformist government, it is certainly not easy." The prime minister will be visiting India in November when he is expected to meet Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

The newspaper quoted both Mr Aziz and Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri as being very happy with the Musharraf-Singh meeting in New York last month. "Just as January 6 (the Vajpayee-Musharraf meeting) was path-breaking, this was a major leap," Mr Kasuri told the newspaper.

He said the "real challenge to our diplomacy is to think of a solution for Kashmir that is acceptable to India and Pakistan and the people of Kashmir. The purpose is to have durable peace."

In reply to a question on the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus, Mr Kasuri said: "We are positive about the bus." On the gas pipeline, he said: "I have invited Mani (Indian Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar) to visit Pakistan and meet the petroleum minister here." The minister was particularly optimistic that India would agree to the proposal that would provide it with cheaper gas, the Age said.