KARACHI, Oct 30: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said here on Saturday that Pakistan would take no decision on the Kashmir issue which was contrary to aspirations and wishes of the people of Kashmir. He was briefing the Sindh Cabinet at a meeting held at the Chief Minister's House here on Saturday.

The prime minister said that President Pervez Musharraf had given some ideas on Kashmir for media discussion and articles and editorials had started appearing on the subject but no decision contrary to aspirations and wishes of the people of Kashmir, would be taken.

The prime minister said that composite dialogue with India was progressing at official level and his visit to India, which was likely next month, would give a boost to the pace of the composite dialogue.

He said during his visit to India he would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and the meeting would further help increase the pace of talks.

Sindh Governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim were also present on the occasion.

Regarding Pakistan's relations with China, the prime minister described them as highly cordial and said China was Islamabad's tested friend. He said he would visit China in December or January.

Regarding Afghanistan, he said elections there had been held in a peaceful manner and "it is our desire that peace and stability should prevail there because a stable and peaceful Afghanistan will be in the interest of Pakistan and the world."

He pointed out that Pakistan's exports to Afghanistan this year stood at one billion dollars and these were gradually rising.

He described Pakistan's relations with Iran as very good and said he would visit Iran in the first quarter of 2005. "We are positioning Pakistan to serve as an anchor of stability in the region," the premier said.--APP

Editorial

Updated 02 Aug, 2026

Urban flooding

THE warning from the disaster management and weather authorities that a new monsoon spell could trigger urban...
02 Aug, 2026

Fatal workplaces

THE methane explosion near Quetta that killed 34 coal miners is the latest entry in Pakistan’s long register of...
02 Aug, 2026

Dual standards

IT appears that the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party has fallen foul of the Election Commission of Pakistan. A...
Updated 01 Aug, 2026

Maritime alliance

AS the US-Iran war drags on, new battle lines are being drawn. The pro-US Gulf Arab monarchies and Iran have enjoyed...
01 Aug, 2026

Local governance

INTERIOR Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s speech at a business summit on Thursday has stirred a hornet’s nest. His...
01 Aug, 2026

Murders in Balochistan

GOOD news is scarce in Balochistan. Seven labourers were abducted and gunned down in Turbat city recently. Four...