Pakistan on Tuesday said it wanted an expeditious and peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue in line with the "aspirations" of Kashmiris and hoped that India would reciprocate positively in this regard.

Sustainable peace cannot be achieved in South Asia without the settlement of the Kashmir problem, which has bedevilled ties between Pakistan and India since they became independent, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said during a meeting with Pakistan-occupied Kashmir president Raja Zulqarnain Khan.

Pakistan wants "an expeditious, just and peaceful resolution" of the Kashmir issue through dialogue, Gilani said, adding such a solution should also be in line with the "aspirations" of the Kashmiri people.

Gilani expressed "confidence that India would reciprocate positively in this regard," an official statement said.

It said Pakistan government would "continue providing maximum support" to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for its development projects and reconstruction work in areas affected by the 2005 earthquake to promote economic growth and provide employment opportunities.

Khan informed Gilani of his government's plans to develop and exploit the potential of hydroelectric energy, tourism and small and medium scale enterprises.