Pak to welcome efforts by US, others to help resolve Kashmir

Islamabad, May 7 (PTI) Pakistan Thursday said it would
welcome efforts by any country, including the US, to help
resolve outstanding matters with India like the "core issue"
of Kashmir.

Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit told a weekly news
briefing that if any country like the US wants to help resolve
outstanding issues with India, Pakistan would welcome it.

He was responding to a question on the possible role of
the US in resolving such issues. Viable and lasting peace in
the region could not be achieved till all disputes between
India and Pakistan are resolved, he said.

"The core issue of Kashmir must be resolved in
accordance with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people. This
is our position and will continue to be our position," Basit
said.

In response to another question, Basit said details of
Pakistan's nuclear programme are sacrosanct and cannot be
shared with any country.

Commenting on a report published in the Boston Globe
newspaper about the sharing of information on Pakistan's
nuclear programme, he also rejected concerns about the safety
of the country's strategic assets.

Pakistan has foolproof custodial controls and safety
mechanisms for its nuclear assets and the system is "second to
none". He added: "These controls and procedures are as good as
that of any other nuclear state." PTI RHL
DEP