Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf tonight said Kashmir would form thecore issue of his discussions with Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at nextmonth's summit and progress on any other issue was linked to solution to Kashmirissue.
"Peace and progress in the region can be achieved only if the Kashmirissue is resolved," Gen Musharraf said at a meeting of Islamic clerics inIslamabad.
Progress on other issues between the two countries would be possible only ifIndia reciprocated his commitment to solve Kashmir problem, he told the meetingcalled to obtain views of the clerics on his coming visit to India.
An official statement said Gen. Musharraf assured the clerics that Kashmirwould form the core issue of his discussions with Indian leaders.
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The statement quoted Gen. Musharraf as saying that progress could not be madeon other issues without removing the major impediment (Kashmir problem) betweenthe countries, the statement said.
The clerics, after listening to Gen. Musharraf, reposed complete faith andtrust in his mission to India, officials said.
The meeting was held as part of consultative process initiated by the Generalto seek opinion of different sections of society.
He has already held meetings with editors of Pakistan newspapers,representatives of political parties and leaders of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
