Agence France Presse

Islamabad, June 8:

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Muslim separatist leaders from Indian Kashmir held talks to solve the longstanding dispute over the Himalayan state, officials said today.

Musharraf met a team of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, an umbrella group of more than two dozen parties, in Islamabad late yesterday and hosted a banquet in their honour.

Media quoted Musharraf as saying that Pakistan would not accept a status quo in Kashmir and would continue to seek a solution in line with the aspiration of the Kashmiris. Musharraf said a solution which was acceptable to Pakistan, India and the people of Kashmir would have to be found.

Hurriyat leader MirwaizFarooq said there was a complete unanimity of views with Musharraf on resolving the row. “It looks as if we are moving towards a negotiated settlement,” he said.