Press Trust of India Posted online: Monday, November 08, 2004 at 1535 hours IST
Jaipur, November 8: The surge in goodwill between India and Pakistan should be utilised to find a solution to the Kashmir issue, cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan has said.
Time has come for the leadership of both the countries to solve the Kashmir issue amicably, specially when the people of the two nations are ready for it, he said in Jaipur on Sunday.
Pointing out that Kashmir issue was hindering progress of the subcontinent since resources were being diverted to armament, Khan, chairman of Pakistan's Tehreek-e-Insaf party, said "some politicians in Pakistan kept the matter alive since their political survival depended on it".
He favoured an early solution to the issue and said if it was allowed to linger on, extremists on both the sides would take advantage, possibly leading to a "hot conflict" between the two nations.
"You must have a roadmap. An early rapprochement between India and Pakistan is a must in the interest of both the countries and their people," he added.
Praising India on the development front, Khan said he envied the country's democratic institution and hoped that Pakistan too would have an independent Election Commission.
Khan showered praises on India's judicial system, saying "an independent judiciary is a must for democracy to flourish".
