Pakistan "hopes for early Kashmir peace talks with India"

"We hope that the dialogue will begin in near future and we will embark on purposeful negotiations on the root cause of tension that exists between the two countries," Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar was quoted as saying by state-run television.

He also hailed the January 1 statement of Indian prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee that "in our search for a lasting solution to the Kashmir problem, both in its external and internal dimensions, we shall not traverse solely on the beaten track of the past. Rather, we shall be bold and innovative designers of a future architecture".

Sattar made the remarks after a meeting of the National Security Council (NSC), the country's top decision-making body, which was chaired by military ruler General Pervez Musharraf. The NSC discussed a proposed visit to Pakistan by leaders of the All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), political umbrella of Indian- based Kashmiri groups fighting for the independence of the part of Kashmir under Indian control.

The Pakistani leadership hoped that APHC mission, expected in Pakistan in mid-January, would lend impetus to three-way talks among Islamabad, New Delhi and Kashmiri leaders aimed at resolving the 52- year-old Kashmir dispute. Pakistan last month announced "maximum restraint" along the Line of Control (LoC) in the divided Kashmir region.

This was in response to India's decision to suspend combat operations against Kashmiri secessionist groups in Indian-ruled Kashmir during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan - then extending this to January 26. Islamabad also proposed separate consultations of APHC leaders with Pakistan and India in a run-up to tripartite talks. India has ruled out three-way talks but has shown willingness to open dialogue with anti-India Kashmiri militants.

Pakistan and India have fought three wars - mainly over Kashmir - since their independence from British rule in 1947.

(la/dpa)