Pakistan to steadfastly uphold 'Kashmir cause': Aziz

During a meeting with Lord Nazir, a member of Britain's House of Lords, on Sunday, he said Pakistan would continue to steadfastly uphold the "Kashmir cause" until a just and fair settlement is found in keeping with wishes of Kashmiri people.

"Pakistan will always support the just struggle of Kashmiri people," he was quoted as saying by the official media after meeting Nazir, an activist on Kashmir in Britain.

Aziz said the ongoing composite dialogue process with India needed to move from "dispute management to dispute resolution" and Islamabad has made several proposals in this direction.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Kasuri has said no decision on Kashmir will be taken without consulting the Cabinet and Parliament. "Islamabad will never compromise on Kashmir as it is an integral part of Pakistan.

Any decision against the wishes of the Kashmiris will not be accepted," he told reporters in his native town of Kasur on Sunday.

Hardliner Islamic groups and some political parties have flayed remarks by President Pervez Musharraf to NDTV that Islamabad would give up its stand on UN resolutions with mutual reciprocity from India as also the foreign ministry spokesperson's comments that Pakistan never claimed Kashmir as its integral part.

The United Jihad Council, a conglomerate of militant groups based in Pakistan and headed by Hizbul Mujahiden leader Sayed Salauddin, voiced deep concern over the Foreign Office statement during a recent meeting, Daily Times said.