QUETTA, April 2: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has said that Pakistan wants to resolve all conflicts with India, including the core issue of Kashmir, through dialogue, as war is not a solution to any problem. Speaking to the Balochistan cabinet here on Saturday, the president said he would visit India on April 16 to hold talks with its leadership on various issues.“Kashmir is the core issue between the two countries and it should be resolved according to the will of Kashmiri people,” he said, adding that problems and issues were never resolved through war and negotiation was the only way to settle conflicts.

According to an official handout issued after the meeting, the president said the biggest challenge being faced by Pakistan was extremism, which was endangering its development and dignity in the comity of nations.

He said ‘effective steps’ were being taken to eliminate extremism and added that provincial governments should also take measures in this regard. He said no operation was going on in Balochistan and the government would resolve all issues politically through mutual understanding.

However, he said, the government would fulfil its responsibilities of protecting national installations and added that forces had been deployed in Sui to ensure security of gas installations.

The president said a parliamentary committee was working for the resolution of issues relating to the province and the government would ensure implementation of its recommendations. He assured the cabinet that all ‘legitimate’ demands of Balochistan would be accepted, including increase in gas royalty and payment of outstanding amount on this account and raise in its share in the new National Finance Commission award. All the provinces wanted an increase in their share in the award, he said.

He said development of Balochistan was a mission for him and the completion of all uplift schemes would be ensured. He said a special package would be announced for areas with deposits of oil, gas and minerals. Referring to the Sui incident, he said the issue of assault on a lady doctor was used to worsen the situation.

He expressed satisfaction over the performance of the Balochistan government and said the situation in the province was normal and development work was in progress. He asked the ministers to continue their efforts for the prosperity and speedy development of the province and strengthen the hands of Chief Minister Jam Mohammed Yousuf.

The president assured the provincial government of centre’s help for the development of Balochistan. He said the unemployment problem would be resolved and implementation of an increased quota of Balochistan in federal jobs would be ensured.