ISLAMABAD, Jan 23: Acting President Mohammedmian Soomro on Tuesday said that Kashmir was main hurdle in the way of normalisation of relations between Pakistan and India.

Talking to a six-member delegation of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Mr Soomro said that this hurdle had to be removed not only for durable peace but also for accelerated development of the whole South Asian region.

While assuring the delegation of Pakistan’s continued political, moral and diplomatic support for their just cause, he said that President Musharraf’s proposals of de-militarisation and self-governance could provide a valid basis for negotiations to resolve the dispute.

Kashmir issue has to be resolved in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of the Kashmiri people in the larger interest of peace and progress, the acting President added.

Mr Soomro said that the parties would have to demonstrate greater degree of flexibility and courage to find a negotiated settlement of the dispute.

He urged the Indian government to respond to Pakistan‘s various initiatives in the same spirit.

Mirwaiz and other members of All Parties Hurriyat Conference delegation commended the efforts of President Pervez Musharraf to bring about a just and honourable solution of the Kashmir issue and assured acting President of their full support to Pakistan‘s efforts in this regard. The delegation described President Musharraf‘s proposal as a glimmer of hope for the Kashmiri people.

Talking to a 3-member APHC delegation Ch Amir Hussain, Speaker National Assembly said that resolution of Kashmir problem according to UN resolution was necessary for lasting peace in the region.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference delegation headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq including Prof Abdul Ghani Bhat and Mr Bilal Ghani called on the Speaker National Assembly

The speaker apprised the delegation that Kashmir dispute was the core issue between India and Pakistan that must be resolved according to the wishes of the people of Kashmir.

He said that Kashmir was not a territorial problem but the problem of human rights of the people of Kashmir. He said that the presence of huge Indian armed forces personnel in Indian held Kashmir was the evidence of repression and oppression by India in Kashmir.

Leader of the delegation appreciated the efforts of the government of Pakistan for resolution of Kashmir dispute.

He also appreciated the efforts of Special Committee of the Parliament on Kashmir for highlighting the Kashmir issue at global forums.

Mirwaiz expressed his optimism about the success of the dialogue process between India and Pakistan.

He said the leadership of Kashmir supports the proposals of the President of Pakistan for resolution of the Kashmir dispute and urged the Indian government to consider those proposals.