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NEW DELHI, Friday (AFP) A delegation of visiting Pakistani MPs called for a ceasefire "by all sides" in Kashmir to begin the peace process between India and Pakistan.

"A ceasefire has to be declared by all sides and all guns have to be completely silenced to give peace a chance," a statement released by the MPs said.

India and Pakistan have been engaged in peace diplomacy since Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee offered a "hand of friendship" to Islamabad in Srinagar, the summer capital of disputed Kashmir, last month.

Since then, the two sides have announced several confidence-building measures such as reviving air, bus and train links and appointing high commissioners to each capital, as they head cautiously towards direct talks.

Kashmir's Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed has also called for a ceasefire since the peace moves began. However, there has been no official response from the parties involved. The MPs said any peace plan for Kashmir must take into account the wishes of the people of Kashmir.

"The plan for talks must envisage engaging the Kashmiris in negotiations at some stage to settle the Kashmir dispute according to the wishes of the Kashmiri people and without jeopardising the legitimate interests of India and Pakistan," the statement said.

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