Pakistan's president Friday renewed a call for dialogue with nuclear-armed rival India over Kashmir, but said he would continue to provide "moral, diplomatic and political" backing to Kashmiris who have been striving to win freedom or merge with this Islamic nation. In a message delivered on the eve of what is known in Pakistan as "Kashmir Solidarity Day," President Gen. Pervez Musharraf said his country would not waver in its support for Kashmiris fighting Indian rule. Saying "their goals are our goals.... their dreams are our dreams," he assured Kahsmiris that Pakistan would continue efforts for the resolution of Kashmir issue. "On the occasion of the Kashmir Solidarity Day, I assure our Kashmiri brethren that at this critical juncture of history, they have the full moral, diplomatic and political support of the government and people of Pakistan." However, Musharraf said a "just and lasting solution to the Kashmir dispute" could only be found through a process of dialogue with New Delhi. "It was with this resolve and purpose in mind that we embarked on the composite dialogue process with India last year. Our effort was and continues to be to engage in a meaningful and result oriented dialogue to seek a peaceful, negotiated and final settlement to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute," he said.
