(REOPENS FGN 7)

Khar said she had told her Indian counterpart of the need to address the Kashmir dispute "in the larger interest of bringing peace and stability to South Asia and ameliorating the sufferings of the Kashmiri people". Pakistan, Khar said, is "convinced that the key to enduring peace and security in South Asia lies in resolving the longstanding dispute of Kashmir". Islamabad is committed to finding a peaceful solution in line with UN Security Council resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiris, she said. "To this end we believe that the Kashmiris should be associated with the dialogue process," she said. Khar called on the Indian government to initiate appropriate steps for an early resolution of the Kashmir dispute. She thanked the OIC for extending support to the Kashmir cause. She also alleged that rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir were continuing. "Despite the signals that sometime emanate from India that the security forces presence in Kashmir would be reduced, the number of the Indian occupied forces has not gone down," she alleged. "Pakistan reiterates it demand and calls upon the government of India to exercise restraint, stop killing of innocent Kashmiris and ensure those responsible for such crimes are brought to justice," she said. The contact group on Kashmir met on the sidelines of an OIC summit. The OIC secretary general reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to the Kashmir issue. The contact group decided to invite Azerbaijan to join the group and attend future meetings.