Pakistan will watch truce in Kashmir - official

"If New Delhi does not end repression in occupied Kashmir and does not enter into a meaningful dialogue with Pakistan along with the Kashmir leadership, India's short-term ceasefire offer will only be tactical and part of its efforts to impose a military solution in Kashmir," a foreign office spokesman said yesterday.

Spokesman Riaz Mohammad Khan told a news briefing that the parameters for progress towards a just solution of the Kashmir dispute, which could bring durable peace to the region, were clear and well-known.

Pakistan, he said, would closely watch the developments in Indian Kashmir and the intent and purpose of the Indian ceasefire announcement.

"We cannot overlook the fact that India had tried to exploit an offer of ceasefire by the Hizbul Mujahideen in July to sow dissension within the freedom movement and to try to exclude Pakistan from any negotiations for a solution of the Kashmir dispute."

He said, "India must end its repression and stop massive human rights violations in held-Kashmir. New Delhi must also pursue the course of negotiations and dialogue with Pakistan with the participation of the Kashmiri leadership. India's acceptance of these parameters would be a test of its sincerity."

When asked if the Indian cease-fire announcement could not be considered the first step by New Delhi to end repression, the spokesman replied: "We have to watch the developments closely and we have to see whether India indeed ends its repression and is sincere in pursuing a negotiated just settlement through a dialogue."

He added: "The first step by India would be to end all repression inside Indian-held Kashmir. This is of primary importance. All human right violations being carried out by Indian security forces must stop and India must pursue the course of negotiation and dialogue."

Commenting on whether Pakistan would show any flexibility in its stand on the issue, the spokesman said the parameters for a just solution of the Kashmir dispute were clear and categoric. "Within these parameters, there is all flexibility."

The spokesman said New Delhi has consistently rejected all efforts for a negotiated, just and durable solution of the Kashmir dispute so far.

He said that the primary purpose of the freedom struggle of the Kashmir people was to gain the right to self-determination as promised to them by the UN and accepted by India.

Over the years, he said, the main source of violence in Kashmir had been the Indian security forces. "Pakistan believes that violence in the occupied territory will reduce and the Kashmiri freedom fighters will respond if India stops its repression. However, the Kashmiri struggle would continue unabated as it is rooted in the fundamental aspirations of a people for freedom."