Pakistan has said that reduction of troops in the Kashmir valley would improve the atmosphere and conditions for Kashmiris and hoped the ongoing dialogue with India would lead to resolution of the vexed issue.
"We have already put in place a number of Jammu and Kashmir-related confidence building measures ranging from continuation of ceasefire across the Line of Control, initiation of bus and truck services, opening of crossing points along the LoC, and greater interaction among Kashmiri leadership on both sides," Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri said.
Addressing the OIC Contact Group meeting on Kashmir on Wednesday at the Islamic Conference of Foreign Ministers, he referred to the four-point proposal of President Pervez Musharraf on Kashmir and said it aimed at bringing lasting peace in South Asia.
"We hope that the ongoing Composite Dialogue between Pakistan and India will lead to a resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the aspirations of the people of Kashmir," APP news agency quoted him as saying.
Kasuri said demilitarisation in Kashmir would improve the atmosphere and conditions for the Kashmiris, who he alleged are subjected to continuous intimidation by Indian security forces.
"Self-governance would empower the Kashmiris for a just, peaceful and durable solution to the issue in line with their aspirations," he said.
Noting that Islamic countries had provided invaluable support on Kashmir, he hoped that they, along with the international community, would continue to back efforts in finding a just, peaceful and the durable solution to the issue.
The foreign minister hoped that Pakistan's "optimism, spirit of flexibility and accommodation would be reciprocated by India, to open new vistas of cooperation, development and good neighbourliness in South Asia".
