Pak peeved, says US not fair amp; balanced8217;

8220;If a party takes a point of view which encourages a warring party, that point of view must be avoided,8221; he said.

However, there was no official word on the actual content of the message from either side. He said the USmission was a 8220;consultative process8221; which was going on, and added, 8220;they could have taken a balanced point of view.8221;

He said while finding a solution to the current crisis, the international community should take note of earlier alleged violations of the LoC by India. Asked whether Pakistan wanted a quid pro quo for withdrawing from Drass and Kargil, Altaf said, 8220;if you are laying down terms and conditions, I am not into that game.8221;

He said consultations with the US were going on and the team might meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, adding that instead of sticking to its own point of view, it should concentrate more on the de-escalation aspect. 8220;The process is on, but if the intention is stick to that point of view and only focus on that, it will only encourage India to project the war hysteria. But the world wants to see a de-escalation and respect of the LoC,8221; he said.

Sharif today warned India if the tension along the Line of Control LoC escalated into a war, it would cause8220;irreparable8221; losses to both sides, amidst reports that Pakistan had decided to tell the key world players that if it comes to the crunch, it would not hesitate in using its 8220;ultimate option8221;.

Sharif renewed his offer for talks to resolve 8220;not only Kargil but the fundamental issue of Kashmir8221;. Addressing troops at Gultari, situated at a height of 11,600 ft and about 7 km from the LoC, he said: 8220;India should not only try to contain the flames in Kargil alone but should also be ready to put out the flame which has engulfed the entire Kashmir8221; for establishing peace in the region. He expressed confidence that Kashmir will become part of Pakistan one day.

8220;Even today I invited India to follow the path of dialogue8230;so that along with Kashmir all issues could be settled in a peaceful manner,8221; he said even as a US team, led by Commander in Chief of US Central Command General Athony Zinni and Assistant Secretary of State Gibson Lanpher reached Islamabad for discussions.

Sharif told his troops:8220;Nuclear and missile technology has given us great courage,8221; according to PTV. Accusing India of creating a 8220;war-like situation8221;, he told the soldiers 8220;I can see in your face the desire for martyrdom.8221; The Prime Minister said that while Pakistan did not want to enter into any hostilities with India, 8220;we are fully prepared as our Army is one of the best in the world.8221;

Sharif was accompanied by Army Chief General Pervez Musharraf and Defence Secretary Ifthekhar Ali Khan among others.

The influential daily, The News reported today that arrangements are being made by Pakistan to ensure that control over the peaks in the Kargil sector is consolidated before the snow sets in October.

The paper said in lengthy policy deliberations that started earlier this week at the Prime Minister8217;s secretariat in Islamabad and continued at the headquarters of the 10 Corps in Rawalpindi, Sharif and the service chiefs had decided that the 8220;Muslim fighters8221; who now control strategic peaks in Kargil should continue toreceive 8220;full backing8221; from Pakistan even as the government tries to open talks with India on Kashmir.

The daily said Sharif was told that deployment of short and long-range missiles equipped with 8220;effective warheads8221; has already been completed. Sharif, according to the daily, had been initially upset that he did not have information about the activities in Kargil but is now satisfied by the briefings that he is receiving.

Ignoring advice that he should distance himself from the army position on Kargil, Sharif has decided to align himself with his armed forces and will now push for a status quo in Kargil, the paper said.

The report claimed that Sharif 8220;actively participated8221; in these crucial meetings and it was decided that the political leadership would let the key world players know that any Indian measure to breach the territorial integrity of Pakistan would be considered as an 8220;act of war8221; and 8220;Pakistan would be left with no choice but to use its ultimate option8221;. In an unusual gesture,Sharif last night visited the Chinese ambassador at the latter8217;s residence and discussed the Kargil issue, according to the daily, The Nation. The meeting was held over an informal dinner, said the report, without giving any details.

Sharif is scheduled to travel to Beijing on June 28 during which he is expected to sign some Defence-related agreements.