KARACHI, Dec 14: Welcoming the peace initiative between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, former prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and opposition leader in the AJK Assembly, Barrister Sutlan Mehmood Chaudhry , on Tuesday called upon India to pull out troops from major urban areas of the occupied territory as part of confidence-building measures to appease Kashmiris, who were the first party to the dispute.

Speaking at a news conference at the Press Club, Barrister Sultan, who belongs to the Pakistan People's Party, AJK, reiterated the demand that Kashmir issue must be resolved through peaceful means, in accordance with the UN resolutions, reflecting aspirations of the Kashmiri people.

He also called for softening of the Line of Control for facilitating intra-Kashmiri dialogue. Barrister Sultan welcomed the CBMs between the two countries. But, he emphasized that it was more important to take Kashmiris into confidence in this regard, because they were the principal party to the conflict.

He said that Kashmiris could serve as a bridge between India and Pakistan, if included in the process of ongoing talks. He, nevertheless, said that the manner in which the CBMs had unfolded and new options were being discussed, Kashmiris were concerned over the possibility of India and Pakistan concluding a settlement without involving Kashmiris in the process.

Barrister Sultan said that India had not reciprocated the flexibility Gen Pervez Musharraf had shown on the 'core issue'. He welcomed Khatmandu moot, which he hoped could be a milestone in the resolution of Kashmir dispute, because for the first time in 57 years Kashmiri leaders from both sides of the LoC had gathered to evolve some consensus on the resolution of long-standing dispute.

He said that Kathmandu conference was reflective of international concern, owing to which India had allowed the Kashmiri leader to travel and meet representatives from this side of the LoC.

He stressed repeatedly that Kashmiri leaders in the conference had agreed that Kashmir dispute should be resolved according to the wishes of Kashmiris, and through feasible CBMs. In this context, he said India could infuse confidence among Kashmiris by pulling out its troops from cities and towns in the occupied territory.

He said that since 9/11, a radical change had occurred in the priorities of Europe and the US, both of whom wanted an end to jihadi culture. Because of that they were striving for bringing an end to the armed freedom struggle in the held Kashmir, and putting pressure on India as well, he added, saying the West was also concerned about Pakistan's nuclear programme.

To a question, he said that Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service was a good initiative, but passport and visa restrictions should be removed, because these would be tantamount to accepting the LoC as international border.

He suggested that some other document as evidence of travellers' status as state subject could be a viable mode of travel, adding that Kashmiri leaders from the occupied territory should travel on the inaugural bus service and vice versa.

Barrister Sultan said that at the moment when the country was faced with many internal and external challenges, it was necessary for the government to bring all political forces on board. For stability it was necessary that Benazir Bhutto should be allowed to return and play her due role, he said.

Earlier, president of the Jammu Kashmir Liberation League, Justice Abdul Majid Malik, expressed the hope that Kathmandu conference would help evolve consensus among Kashmiris, and in the next round of the moot representatives of Gilgit and Baltistan would also be included.

Justice Malik, who was speaking at a press conference on return from Kathmandu conference, said that Kashmiri leaders agreed at the moot that the dispute must be resolved according to their aspirations and that Kashmiris should be equal partners in the dialogue process at every stage.

It was also stressed that Kashmiris on either side of the LoC should be allowed to meet and do business. He called upon both India and Pakistan to pull out their troops from either side of the LoC in the disputed territory, and details of the proposals for possible options on the issue should be made known to the Kashmiris.

It was stressed that prior to any further progress, Kashmiri leadership should be taken into confidence. He said that in Kathmandu no specific proposal was discussed.