In an apparent softening of stand, Pakistan has indicated that it will not insist on its involvement in talks with India on the Kashmir issue right in the initial stage and suggested Indian leadership first hold talks with the Hurriyat Conference. "India should invite Hurriyat leaders for a discussion which will be preparatory to the Pakistan-India dialogue, Pakistan Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar told 'The voice,' an Islamabad-based English language magazine. Pakistan had earlier demanded trilateral talks among it, India and Hurriyat leaders on Kashmir issue, an idea firmly rejected by India.

Sattar said that Pakistan has been encouraged by Indian government's indications that it might allow hurriyat leaders to travel to Islamabad. He termed as a welcome half-step Indian government's announcement of Ramzan ceasefire and said the full step would be to abandon the use of force once and for all.
Sattar spoke about a three-stage framework of talks. First, stabilizing the cease-fire at LoC. Secondly, a preparatory process that involves Hurriyat Conference in a process of dialogue with Pakistan and India. The third is a dialogue to find a solution to the Kashmir problem acceptable to the people of Kashmir. Bureau Report