Islamabad, Jan 16: Pakistan's Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad has told the hardline sections back home by assuring them there was no change in Pakistan policy to have trade relations with India without the resolution of Kashmir issue.
There was no question of compromise on the aspirations of Kashmiri people, he told reporters in Sukkar yesterday and hoped that India would take measures for implementing the Islamabad agreement with maximum sincerity and true spirit for resolving the Kashmir issue.
He said that Kashmir problem could not be separated from bilateral trade and economic relations, because it was a key factor for peace in South Asia.
Rashid also ruled out the possibility of accepting the Line of Control (LoC) as international border, and asked what was the justification of rendering thousands of sacrifices by Kashmiri martyrs for their freedom.
"There are so many solutions and options for the Kashmir problem," he said, but linked all of them with good intent and sincerity of India.
Referring to Pakistan signing the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) Treaty, Rashid said that the treaty would be implemented only in 2006 and by that time much water would have flown under the bridges.
"Nobody should expect that free trade would be held without seeking a resolution of Kashmir problem, he was quoted as saying by the official news agency.
Bureau Report
