"For Pakistan to alter its stated position vis-ŕ-vis the right of self-determination to Kashmiris would not be wise," The Nation, known for its hardline stand on Kashmir, commented editorially. Musharraf's proposals to resolve Kashmir issue has some "serious implications.

Delhi wary over Musharraf plan

"The one that should not be ignored is that accepting the UN supervision of a seven-region Kashmir would amount, for example, to giving up the security of Mangla Dam (in PoK) which supplies water to most parts of Pakistan," it said.

The paper said the best platform to debate the issue is in Parliament. "The President believed that his formula was the most realistic one and required a national consensus for moving forward if India demanded the demilitarisation of PoK.

"But he can't claim so until this proposal is put to test before Parliament which in any democratic polity is the most appropriate forum to debate issues of national importance," it said.

Musharraf on Monday proposed that India and Pakistan should consider the option of identifying some "regions" of Kashmir on both sides of LoC, demilitarise them and grant them the status of independence or joint control or under UN mandate.

Hurriyat reacts cautiously

Backing Musharraf's proposal, The Dawn said that "with no solution (to Kashmir issue) on the basis of the UN resolutions in sight, common sense demands that alternative approaches be tried rather than remaining stuck in the old groove."

It said a stage has been reached to change the thinking on Kashmir issue, and handling this change is a big challenge for the Musharraf government.

"In the past neither war nor diplomacy has produced any definitive results...after having fed the public on a lot of propaganda for over 50 years, the establishment has led the people to believe that Kashmir can be taken with the force of arms and that every Kashmiri wants the state to join Pakistan. Now a strong section of opinion in Pakistan - though a small one - knows that this approach will only harm us," it said.

Musharraf-baiters shoot down J&K plan

Advocating a debate to "explore new openings," the paper said this would have two advantages. First, it should encourage people to think of new solutions which they have not tried for many years, having been conditioned to think of the UN resolutions as being the only feasible basis, for a Kashmir solution.

Second, by holding a debate the government will allow new ideas and proposals to be discussed out of which something feasible may emerge, the paper said.

Observing that the issue demands "serious introspection and consideration", another daily, The News said the President has "rightly called upon the nation to openly discuss and think on the Kashmir issue."

More reports from Pakistan