The foreign minister made the remarks at a news conference here while commenting on the reported statement of certain Indian leaders saying India does not welcome any third party mediation in discussion with Pakistan on any outstanding issues between the two sides.

"Pakistan is prepared to discuss the issue in a bilateral or multilateral setting," Kasuri said. Pakistan has offered a package of wide ranging confidence building measures after Indian Prime Minister Vajpayee's peace initiative in April, he added.

"I do not find anything wrong in the efforts of United States, United Nations, European Union, China, G-8 (countries) or many other countries to try to reduce tension in South Asia. All such efforts and initiatives should be looked at in a positive light as expression of concern for the people of South Asia rather than seeing it as unwanted intervention," said Kasuri.

(Xinhua News Agency June 28, 2003)