ABU DHABI, June 11: President Gen Pervez Musharraf has urged India to initiate process of dialogue with Pakistan particularly on the core issue of Kashmir for the establishment of a lasting peace in the sub-continent.

He was speaking at a news conference here on Tuesday at the conclusion of his visit to Abu Dhabi.

About the steps announced by India for reduction of tension in the region, President Musharraf termed it a reasonably good beginning but he said to put the record straight whatever India was doing at the moment was aimed at easing its own problems.

They had the problem of overflight and also the calling of their Navy back as it was not easy to operate in rough waters and also additional costs for operating in rough seas.

He stressed the need of initiation of dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir dispute and other issues.

Replying to a question, president declared that the prevailing tension between India and Pakistan will have no effect on the general elections which will be held as per schedule in October this year.

However, in case India decides to go for an adventure across the border this will create a kind of problem but otherwise there will be no change in the schedule of election.

The president said as far as the political parties in the country are concerned, there is a unanimity of views on threat emanating from India and on Kashmir issue.

He said he has interacted with all the political leaders, except some who did not turn up, all of us had total unanimity of views of whatever we are doing.

“I have the backing of all those political leaders”, the president said.

Gen Musharraf said that Pakistan has done far more to reduce tension in the region and referred to his speech of Jan 12 and said we have also taken certain steps now to address the world concerns.

The president said that we are doing things in our own national interest.

He said we have taken the decisions purely for Pakistan’s own national interests.

“Whether this pleases anyone or displeases anyone remains a secondary one”, the president said.

He said now we are looking forward the response from the Indian side. There is a lot to be done further to normalize conditions, Gen Musharraf said.

Replying to a question the president said, we need to address all issues in the spirit of sincerity, sovereign equality between the two countries.

The president said that if this happens and there is facilitation or mediation through a third party it would further facilitate the process.

For the prospect of the improvement of relations between the two countries the leadership has to show statesmanship, he said.

Replying to another question he hoped that there would be no violation from the Indian side regarding the international guarantee pertaining to the Indus Water Treaty as any such violation would have serious consequences

The president said that Pakistan is looking for genuine steps from Indian side which is initiation of dialogue on the Kashmir dispute and all other issues. We are watching for more substantive action from the Indian side.—APP