Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf today said a number of proposals are “under consideration” and at the discussion stage to arrive at an acceptable solution to the Kashmir problem. Addressing a press conference at the UN, Musharraf, however, refused to divulge details of the proposals, saying it might harm the peace process.

“These are good ideas which needs to be substantiated and crystallised into more details. I think that with right amount of will (on both sides), we can find a solution,” he said. “There is a desire to move forward. And we will move forward,” he said referring to his meeting with PM Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the NAM Summit.

Acknowledging that there is “unease” among intelligence agencies on the establishment of a joint anti-terror mechanism, under which Indian security institutions would share intelligence with their Pakistani counterparts, Musharraf said Islamabad has “certain apprehensions” over New Delhi sharing information on Balochistan. But he added that “institutional mechanisms would be created to address issues of mutual concern”. Musharraf said there are many proposals on Kashmir. But India does not want redrawing of borders and Pakistan does not recognise the Line of Control and is concerned that it would be made a permanent border. “Therefore, the deduction from both sides is that LoC should be made irrelevant,” he said. Emphasising that the proposals needed to be crystallised, he said, “With the right political will, solution can be found despite the extremists on both sides.”

Musharraf said the two leaders face difficulties from extremists in their own countries who don’t want resolution of the Kashmir issue but observed that leadership of both the countries wanted peace and expressed hope that Singh would help keep the peace process on track. Describing his meeting with Singh in Havana as “positive”, he said both of them are determined to narrow down divergences and strengthen convergences.

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