Kashmiris should be part of the resolution: Pak

Pakistan wishes to normalise relations with India but the Kashmiri people should be given 'due respect' in any process leading to the resolution of the dispute over the Himalayan region, Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said on Saturday.

Qureshi made the remarks while interacting with mediapersons in his hometown of Multan in central Punjab province.

He said he had presented Pakistan's "historic and principled" point of view on the Kashmir issue at the United Nations.

Replying to a question, Qureshi said Pakistan will not accept any external pressure on launching a military operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal region and a decision in this regard will be made keeping in view the country's requirements, resources and priorities.

He claimed there was no external pressure on Pakistan for launching an operation in North Waziristan. Responding to a question on demands for Pakistan to "do more" in the war on terror, he said Pakistan is making sincere efforts in this campaign and it had made numerous sacrifices.

"Our people and even our shrines are being targeted by terrorists," he said.

During the recent round of the Strategic Dialogue with the United States, the Obama administration decided to provide security assistance to Pakistan over a five-year period to fulfil the country's defence requirements.

Asked about Pakistan's demand for a civil nuclear deal from the US, Qureshi said, "Energy is our requirement and we have conveyed our desire for a civil nuclear agreement".

"There should be no discrimination on the civil nuclear programme. We also want to move forward in that direction," he said.

In response to another question, Qureshi said Pakistan is ready to help the Afghan government to usher in peace if it seeks such assistance.

He said the groups which were fighting against each other in Afghanistan comprised people with different ethnic backgrounds and ideologies.

"If the groups are willing to hold talks for peace, Pakistan is ready to help the process leading to peace and prosperity in Afghanistan," he said.