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Pakistan Wednesday accepted most of India's proposals for normalizing relations with Islamabad, including opening bus service in the disputed Kashmir.
Briefing a news conference in Islamabad, Foreign Secretary Riaz Khokhar said the realization of real peace between the longtime rivals was only possible by resolving the Kashmir problem through dialogue.
New Delhi announced a series of proposals last week to ease tensions with nuclear rival Pakistan. The 12-point proposals included expanding travel and sports links and easing visa regulations.
The most sweeping proposal, however, concerned opening the road from Srinagar to Muzzafarabad, respective capitals of India- and Pakistan-held Kashmir.
Khokhar said Pakistan accepted India's proposals in principle for bus service between Srinagar and Muzzafarabad, but said it should be monitored by the United Nations checkpoints.
Khokhar said Pakistan also accepted India's proposal for technical-level talks in December on resuming air links and added a proposal of its own to discuss reopening a rail line between the two countries.
"The time has come for the two countries to indulge in serious negotiations," Khokhar said, adding that "we are clear in our mind. We want to improve our relations with India, but this is going to be on the basis of dignity and honor."
(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2003)
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