Some weeks ago the Minister of Information of Pakistan, Sheikh Rasheed, said that the Kashmir problem is going to be resolved soon. It seems that some behind-the-scenes work has taken place and that Islamabad and New Delhi are ready to solve substantial problems, obviously including the Kashmir issue.

It is also clear that the United States is applying pressure on both countries: Secretary of State Colin Powell had phone conversations with the foreign ministers of both countries in the last week.

It is amazing how easily the Pakistani military establishment can just say that we can now resolve an issue which we have considered unresolvable so far. Until now the military establishment in Pakistan toppled several civilian governments which tried to solve the Kashmir issue, and make peace with India.

But we need not raise the dead on this issue. If the present military dispensation in Pakistan can make peace with India then that will be a great accomplishment that will set the country on a path to prosperity. For 50 years the Pakistani people have been yoked to a conflict with India. Much progress has been lost in all sectors of our life and economy. We dearly hope that we can now move on.