‘Pakistan has no solution to offer’

Without naming Musharraf, Farooq referred to the various options suggested to resolve the issue and said ‘‘I do not think we have reached that stage.’’ Addressing a symposium on Kashmir organised by the Dawn group of newspapers, Farooq said that there was ‘‘no ready-made solution’’ to the Kashmir problem, and the best mode of moving forward could be tripartite talks with India, Pakistan, and the Kashmiri leadership at the same table.

But, he said, since India would not agree to this, the alternative for the moment could be a triangular dialogue with Kashmiris talking to both Pakistan and India separately, and Pakistan and India talking between themselves.

He said that before his delegation’s visit, some thought a solution had already been decided on, but, ‘‘We are at the same place as 57 years ago.’’

Farooq said they were still exploring participatory options in peace process, and the Hurriyat would go to New Delhi for talks on thei return.

He also lashed out hardline Hurriyat leader Sayed Geelani for accusing him and other moderate leaders of committing treason.

Mush: Kashmir can be resolved in weeks

Saying the Kashmir issue could be solved in ‘‘two weeks’’ if India and Pakistan show political will, President Pervez Musharraf on Monday expressed optimism that it would be resolved in a ‘‘certain timeframe’’. ‘‘I think it can be resolved in two weeks if there is a will and we discuss the options and reach an agreement. The most important thing is to have the will to reach a conclusion. I see that at this moment,’’ he said. He said, ‘‘I would love to go (to Kashmir)’’, but that the ‘‘time was not ripe yet’’.

No change in Srinagar plans, says Rashid

Pakistan Information Minister Sheikh Rashid denied media reports that he altered plans to travel to J-K by the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar bus, saying he would travel by the bus on June 30.