ISLAMABAD. Apr 3: Pakistan yesterday said it would continue to raise the Kashmir issue at all international fora until its final settlement as per Shimla Agreement since the matter remains a dispute between Islamabad and New Delhi, reports PTI.

It is within our right to take the Kashmir issue to all international fora and we will continue to do so. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tariq Altaf told reporters here, reacting to Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh's remarks in an interview to the Pakistani daily The News'.

Ruling out the possibility of a third party mediation for resolving the Kashmir issue. Singh had told the paper India ana Pakistan speak the same language and do not require interpreters.

The Kashmir issue will remain a dispute until it is settled finally in accordance with* the Shimla Agreement, he said.

adding the two countries were committed to resolve the matter as per the agreement.

On Singn's rejection of Pakistani demand for troops withdrawal from the valley. Altaf said, we hope this process of resolution of disputes, particularly the final settlement of Jammu and Kashmir will continue.

We are very much devoted to this (bilateral dialogue) process and it (Kashmir issue) is the heart of the matter." Altaf said, adding, "we are looking forward to further meetings at various levels so that more progress can be made."

He said no date has been fixed for the bilateral expert level talks, due this month as per the agreement reached between the foreign ministers of the two countries when they met in Sri Lanka last month during the SAARC conference.

Under the agreement, experts from both sides will discuss nuclear issues to be fol-

lowed next month by foreign secretary level talks in New Delhi on peace and security besides the Kashmir issue.

The foreign secretaries will also review the progress made in the first round of integrated dialogue process covering eight outstanding issues., Discussions on the remaining six issues at various levels will be held in Islamabad in June.

Meanwhile. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif yesterday said Pakistan wants relationship with its neighbours on the principles of peaceful co-existence and asserted the nation is fully prepared to face any eventuality.

Pakistan is a peace-loving nation and wants relationship with its neighbours on the principles of peaceful co-existence. The country's defence is in safe hands and its armed forces were fully geared and equipped to face any eventuality. Sharif said.