Terms for talks unchanged, says Sharif

He emphasised that without resolving the Kashmir problem, quot;Our region will remain afflicted with turmoil and peace and stability will continue to elude South Asiaquot;.

Sharif said one thing which has not changed since the creation of Pakistan in 1947, quot;is the commitment of the government and people of Pakistan towards the destiny of their Kashmiri brethrenquot; and hinted that the Kargil episode was its manifestation.

The international community, he claimed, has now realised that solution of the Kashmir problem was necessary. quot;The international community is also not prepared to live with this dangerous situation in a nuclear environment,quot; he said.

On Pakistan8217;s nuclear capabilities, Sharif said quot;it is purely for self-defencequot; and the country acquiring nuclear status quot;is the most significant change in the country8217;s 52 year history.

Without mentioning the Kargil conflict, but in an obvious reference to the role of Pakistani armed forces in it, Sharif said, quot;The spirit with which the armed forces fought for the defence and sovereignty of Pakistan will be ever remembered.quot;

quot;I call upon my countrymen to join me in paying homage and glowing tributes to those officers and jawans who embraced shahadat martyrdom for their motherland,quot; he said.

Sharif, whose government is facing a severe economic crisis after the May 1998 nuclear explosions due to economic sanctions and struggling to secure bail-out packages from the International Monetary Fund IMF, emphasised that economic aspects should be given more focus in the current circumstances.

quot;This changed scenario warrants a new vision from the leadership, a new national agenda for the nation, realistic economic measures and sound fiscal policies,quot; the Premier said.

Sharif8217;s remark on continued commitment to dialogue with India on the occasion of Pakistan8217;s 52nd Independence Day comes barely three days after a Pakistan Navy plane was shot down on the western border in Gujarat killing 16 Navy personnel.

Incidentally, Sharif had been quoted by the Frontier Post in Karachi on Thursday saying the shooting down of the Pakistani aircraft by India would quot;complicatequot; matters hinting at delay in resumption of the dialogue process.

His comment had come after the Defence Committee of the Cabinet DCC had resolved that Pakistan would be quot;fully justifiedquot; in making an quot;appropriate responsequot; to India8217;s downing of the aircraft.

But in the evening in Peshawar he was quoted by the daily as saying quot;we should try to avoid warquot; while stressing on resumption of dialogue for de-escalation.quot;

He reportedly said that India should resume talks to quot;de-escalate tensionquot; between the two countries over the Kashmir issue and stated quot;it India has to come to the negotiating table.quot;