Islamabad, Nov 27: Pakistan today hailed the second day of an historic ceasefire with India along the Line of Control, International Border and Siachen as "a good beginning" to the latest efforts at dialogue between the two countries. "It's a positive development, and a good beginning because both sides have agreed to the ceasefire," foreign ministry spokesman Masood Khan said of the first-ever full ceasefire, which he said was "holding on both sides" since it began at midnight Tuesday.

"In the past President (Pervez) Musharraf would say 'let's observe a ceasefire along the LoC and the Indians would say no'," Khan told media persons, referring to proposals by Musharraf on August 12. "This time we took a unilateral decision and the Indians have responded positively, so it's a good beginning."

Khan said the onset of winter virtually guaranteed there would be no incursions.

"In any case there are no incursions during the winter season, the activity goes down," the spokesman said.

"We're saying crossings have gone down drastically since last year." Khan said the next step in the peace process was talks on reviving airlinks, slated for December 1 and 2 in New Delhi.

Bureau Report