Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, who was prime minister of Pakistan for just 45 days, is president of the ruling Pakistan Muslim League (Qaid-e-Azam).

He belongs to the Jat community of Gujarat, whose leaders are known for their support to Pakistan's military establishment. Chaudhry Shujaat heads one of Pakistan's powerful political families who have been prospering for decades with the help of military rule.

A man who served military rulers

Chaudhry Shujaat's father Chaudhry Zahoor Elahi was secretary general of the Convention Muslim League and a fierce opponent of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, who imprisoned him for several years. General Zia-ul Haq released him and made him a minister.

It is believed the pen with which Zia signed Bhutto's death warrant was presented to him by Elahi. In September 1981, Elahi was shot dead in Lahore [Images], allegedly by the Al-Zulfikar, an outfit led by Zulfiqar's son Murtaza Bhutto.

Now head of the Parliamentary Committee and a trusted aide of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf [Images], Chaudhry Shujaat is talking to Nawab Akbar Bugti, leader of the Jamhoori Watan Party, to end the festering dispute in Balochistan province.

On a recent visit to India, he met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images], Congress President Sonia Gandhi [Images] and President A P J Abdul Kalam.

In an exclusive interview to Senior Editor Sheela Bhatt and Sushant Sareen, executive editor, Public Opinion Trends, Shujaat Hussain discussed Kashmir and the current state of India-Pakistan relations. The first of a two-part interview:

After your tour of India and meetings with the political leadership in India, what is the impression you are carrying back with you to Pakistan?

I must say that I have seen in India when it comes to national interest there are no differences amongst political leaders. This is something that is sorely lacking in Pakistan. When I return I will tell this to the people.

In Pakistan, political leaders put their vested interests above the national interest. In India the Opposition and the government cooperate when it comes to the national interest.

Are you saying this also in the context of the peace process?

No. This has nothing to do with the peace process. This is just a general observation I have made during my visits to India.

You would have observed a political consensus within India on the peace process. Is there a similar consensus inside Pakistan?

This is the first time I have noted that the policies of the previous government are being followed by the new government in India. Mr Vajpayee's policies are being followed by the new government and they don't hide the fact that they are following the policies of the Vajpayee government.

Normally, no one gives any credit to the government that has lost power. This also came out in our meetings with both the government as well as with the Opposition.

A question often asked in Pakistan is whether the Government of India is sincere about the peace process. What are your impressions after your interactions here?

As far as there is a consensus in India on the national interest, the Opposition and the government are one on the issue. Sitting in Pakistan I had heard this was the case, but now I have seen it in practice. There is no compromise on the issue of national interest.

Do you think there is sincerity on the Indian side as well?

Whatever the compulsions we have started seeing sincerity. I think both sides are now sick and tired of hostility and fighting with each other.

Both countries are now nuclear powers. Now there is no question of war. So why not solve the issues between us?

At this time, the initiative taken by President Musharraf is a sign of sincerity on both sides.

You have come to India after seven years. What changes did you see in India? What has changed in Pakistan in these seven years?

What has happened in these seven years is that the supremacy of India in the nuclear field -- something that we in Pakistan were always concerned -- that has ended. We have now entered an era of equality (parity). I think India too has understood that talks now will be between equals. India is a big country and as a big country it must display its big heart (badapan). Now that we have reached an equal plane on the nuclear issue, we think India must also leave its quest for political supremacy.

What is the expectation in Pakistan -- in real terms -- from the peace process?

In Pakistan, there is now no doubt in anyone's mind about President Musharraf's sincerity on the peace process. There are doubts in the minds of the people about Indian intentions. And this we want to remove. Doubts are removed by creating a conducive environment.

There is a long history of bitterness. Unless this bitterness goes, the faith of the people in the peace process will not be restored. The people need to be convinced that no one will put salt in their old wounds.

Our visit and other visits like ours are steps towards creating a conducive environment so that the people of India and Pakistan get a feeling that the past is past and needs to be forgotten and that we have to start with a fresh slate. In this we have to see how both governments react.

I think it is important that both governments need to avoid any delay in an effort to protect their interests. They must work towards resolving the issues and problems. Otherwise, there will always be some obstruction in the path.

But in tangible terms what is your expectation as to what can or will happen in the next 6 months or one year?

For example, the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service.