Islamabad, April 28: Former foreign minister of Pakistan Khursheed Mehmood Kasuri has said India and Pakistan had in principle agreed to an interim agreement on Kashmir worked out through back door diplomacy about two years ago.
 “By virtue of this interim agreement Kashmiris could have gained independence in social, economic and political affairs”, Kasuri told a local newspaper on Wednesday.
 Under the prevailing situation, he said, it could be the best possible arrangement keeping in view the troubled history of the region which would require having all stakeholders on board.
 Referring to other dimensions of the proposal he said that besides implementing the design the concerned parties were bound to review the accord after 15-years of its implementation.
 Regarding Syed Ali Shah Geelani’s who opposed the formula Kasuri turned down his evaluations vis-à-vis the interim solution. He said that basic objective of this agreement was to improve comfort level of Kashmiris through gradual demilitarization. Referring to interactions with Kashmiri leaders at different levels he said that Kashmiri leaders attached high importance to withdrawal of Indian troops.
 Citing media interviews of President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and foreign minister Qureshi, Kasuri believed the incumbent government in Pakistan supported the agreement. He said that Tariq Aziz who played key role in back-door diplomacy was appointed by the incumbent regime as its representative to continue his work further on this front.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST