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ISLAMABAD: Troops of Pakistan would observe complete cease-fire along the Line of Control (LoC) from the Eid Day.

An announcement -- to this effect -- was made by the Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali Sunday with a hope that India would respond positively. "Our troops deployed along the LoC have been directed to observe complete cease-fire from the Eid Day," he said during his address to the nation via Radio n' TV.

The Prime Minister hoped that India would respond positively as, otherwise, the move would remain incomplete.

Overtures

Prime Minister Jamali said that Pakistan had responded positively to India's 12 proposals of October 22. He said it was not difficult for Pakistan as most of these proposals were those which had already been presented by Islamabad.

The Prime Minister asked India to come forward to implement these proposals without attaching any conditionalities to them. He said Pakistan looks forward to the participation of Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in the forthcoming SAARC Summit. The South Asian summit would open up a new chapter of regional cooperation, he added.

The Prime Minister said Pakistan is ready for talks on the re-opening of Khokhrapar-Monabao route which remained closed since 1965 war.

Muzaffarabad-Srinagar Bus Service

Prime Minister Jamali also expressed Pakistan's willingness to start a bus service between Muzaffarabad and Srinagar but made it clear that the Jammu and Kashmir remained a disputed territory in accordance with the UN resolutions and the LoC was temporary line dividing the state of Jammu and Kashmir.

He invited India to initiate talks on the modalities and other related matters for starting the bus service and offered to host meeting in this regard.

To facilitate issuance of visas, the Prime Minister proposed that both Pakistani and Indian high commissions, after mutual agreement, should look into the possibilities of opening visa camps.

Air and Road Links

Jamali said Pakistan was in favour of resumption of air links between the two countries and negotiations between the two civil aviation authorities were extremely important.

The Prime minister hoped that these negotiations would lead to revival of air links between Lahore-Delhi, Karachi-Mumbai and Karachi-Delhi. He said Pakistan had already announced that citizens above 65 years of age can cross the Wagha border on foot and a notification was being issued in this regard.

The Prime Minister said that a bus service between Lahore and Amritsar should start. He said the Lahore-Delhi bus service was working satisfactorily and additional buses on the route could be discussed.

Samjotha Express

Prime Minister Jamali re-floated Pakistan's proposal of reviving Samjotha Express, saying, "We think that a decision in this regard should be reached by the end of this year".

Similarly, he said, Pakistan was also ready for talks on starting a ferry service between Karachi and Mumbai. He also proposed that Interior ministries of Pakistan and India should find ways to resolve the problems of prisoners jailed in each other's countries, specially those who have served their term but could not be sent back to their countries.

The Prime Minister said it would be a welcoming step if India releases such prisoners before Eid so they could celebrate Eid in their own country.

Peace Vital

Jamali reiterated Pakistan's desire for peace with India and said that two countries with a strong political will can change the environment of confrontation.

The Prime Minister said that there were many difficulties on the road to peace but called for well thought-out measures to promote mutual trust and find new avenues to a peaceful resolution of the lingering Kashmir dispute and other issues. 

He again called for Pakistan and India to resolve their outstanding disputes through political and diplomatic channels and added that the two countries should inform each other at the  government level and not through media. "To improve the environment or make it conducive is a good objective but is not an alternative to a comprehensive and composite dialogue," he added.

Prime Minister Jamali said resumption of meaningful and result-oriented dialogue was must for peace and stability in the region, and for the durable solution of all outstanding issues, specially the Kashmir dispute. He said eyes of the entire world were focussed on this region. He said Pakistan desired to live in peace with its neighbours. The Prime Minister, however, made it clear that Pakistan was not oblivious to its defence, saying, while the government has extended a hand of friendship to India, it has also concentrated fully on its own defence needs.

Prime Minister said that the nation was proud of its armed forces and scientists who were always ready and alert to ensure security of the country.  However, the Prime Minister said no one should think that we have forgotten our defence while pursuing the path of peace.   

145 KMs of LoC Fenced by India

Meanwhile a report from the Indian held-part of the Himalayan State says that India has fenced nearly 145 kms stretch along the Line of Control in Kashmir besides installing ground censors and thermal imagers to suppress the ongoing freedom movement of Kashmiri people.

Kashmir Media Service reports that India's army chief, General NC Vij said in Pathankot that by June 2005 the entire LoC will be fenced adding that 1500 hand held thermal imagers have also been inducted.

Regarding the replacement of Border Security Force (BSF) by Central Reserve Police Force in occupied Kashmir, he remarked that BSF will be withdrawn in a phased manner.