Omar all praise for Musharraf

Omar also said that the Pakistan President admitted that there was not much difference between the NC8217;s autonomy resolution and his concept of self rule. 8216;8216;I told Musharraf that our autonomy seeks all powers for the state, leaving only three subjects8212;communications and currency, foreign affairs and defence8212;with India. He told me that if this was so, then it was not very different from self rule,8217;8217; Omar said.

The NC president8217;s visit to Pakistan had given international recognition to the party, Omar said, adding that his stand on Kashmir had been appreciated there. 8216;8216;The big thing about this visit is that, after so many years, Pakistan has accepted the NC as a strength,8217;8217; he said.

Omar said the Pakistan president had turned down the option for independence for Kashmir. 8216;8216;People in many parts of India, like the Northeast or Punjab, have had similar aspirations for freedom. But there is difference between what you can aspire to and what you can achieve,8217;8217; he said.

The NC president said the gun was no solution to the Kashmir issue but he called for the involvement of militants in talks. 8216;8216;Only Kashmiri militants can be involved and outsiders have no role in it,8217;8217; he said.