Foreign office Spokesman Masood Khan has urged the Indians to adopt a sagacious approach in resolving the core Kashmir issue. "India has shown sagacity in the case of initiation of Muzaffarabad-Occupied Srinagar bus service. They should also exhibit same spirit in resolving the core Kashmir issue," he told ARY TV. "The conditions of passport and visa cannot be imposed on travel to both Kashmiris because of its peculiar condition, " he said, adding Pakistan will continue making efforts to improve the atmosphere for making the ongoing dialogue process a success.

Masood said the official position of Pakistan regarding Kashmir has not changed. The Kashmiris should be given a chance to decide their fate by themselves. Without resolving the core issue Pakistan India relations could not be normalised, he added.

The bus service will facilitate the divided families. Both the countries should strive for making it a success.

He said, the decision had been widely welcomed by the people of Pakistan, India and Kashmiris alike. With the initiation of bus service the confidence building measures (CBMs) had been extended up to Kashmiris, he added.

Applauding the role of media, Masood said the media role would remain critical for steering the whole process towards success.

Replying to a question, he said, the two designated points of Muzaffarabad and Occupied Srinagar had been agreed upon. Rest of the technical details would be sorted out with mutual consent of both Pakistan and India.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2005