Kashmir eye of S. Asian storm: Pak

DHAKA, March 1 (PTI) — Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said the Kashmir issue remained the "eye of the South Asian storm" and called for transcending "symbolism’’ and moving on to "concrete measures" to ensure lasting peace in South Asia.

"The eye of the South Asian storm has been the unresolved Kashmir dispute, it has to be squarely addressed,’’ Mr Sharif said in his address at the opening session of the two-day D-8 Muslim Nations' Summit here.

"We must now transcend symbolism and move on to concrete measures for the removal of impediments for long-lasting peace," he said adding "the cause of the conflict and tension must be eliminated.’’

Referring to his talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in Lahore recently, the Pakistan Prime Minister said he had "useful discussions" with Mr Vajpayee.

"We agreed to intensify our efforts to resolve the Kashmir issue and manage the nuclear dimensions of the security problems of South Asia," he said.

Mr Sharif also referred to Pakistan’s dialogue with the USA on security and nuclear issues and cited significant progress on the matter.

The D-8, launched in 1997 in Istanbul, comprises Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan and Turkey.

Govt clarification on PM’s remarks

NEW DELHI, March 1 (PTI) — The government today termed as incorrect a comment attributed to Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on Kashmir during his recent talks with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore.

Media reports from Islamabad quoted Mr Sharif as saying "when I stated during the talks that the Kashmiris should decide on their right to self-determination, Mr Vajpayee replied that it was right." An official spokesman said Mr Vajpayee did not make any such comment.