K-word comes back again, Gen says no compromise

President Pervez Musharraf today said Pakistan ‘‘sincerely’’ tried to initiate a meaningful dialogue with India to settl...

President Pervez Musharraf today said Pakistan ‘‘sincerely’’ tried to initiate a meaningful dialogue with India to settle all issues but it would not compromise on its vital national interests on Kashmir and nuclear assets.

A solution to the Kashmir issue, acceptable to Pakistan and the people of Jammu and Kashmir, would never be negotiated from a position of weakness, he said addressing the passing-out parade at Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.

‘‘While we vow to stand by the UN charter, make our contribution to peace and prosperity in the world, and negotiate sincerely and boldly for peace with India, we shall remain fully prepared and capable of guarding our national interests,’’ he was quoted as saying by the official APP newsagency.

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‘‘We will never compromise on our vital national interests on Kashmir and our nuclear assets,’’ Musharraf said. The current global scenario and the demands of geo-economics dictate that the countries of South Asia should try to resolve their disputes through peaceful means, he said.

Non-resolution of disputes between India and Pakistan has been the major cause of ‘‘backwardness’’ of the entire South Asian region, Musharraf said.

Referring to the post 9/11 world and the internal challenges facing Pakistan, Musharraf said, the country has firmly resolved to rid the society of extremism and intolerance. —(PTI)