Pakistan makes formal proposal

"In pursuance of the proposal made by the president on 18 October 2005 to facilitate two-way movement of Kashmiris across the Line of Control, Pakistan has formally proposed the modalities to the government of India," the ministry said in a statement.

It said the proposal was handed to the Indian high commissioner (ambassador) by the foreign secretary Saturday at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Pakistan has also proposed a meeting of senior foreign ministry officials from both sides as early as possible, "preferably before the end of the month to finalize and operationalise the agreed arrangements", it said.

Pakistan's announcement came hours after India said it plans to set up three relief centres on Kashmir's de facto border early next week to provide help for quake survivors from Pakistan's zone of the region.

The Indian government has approached Islamabad with its proposal and is awaiting a response, foreign affairs spokesman Navtej Sarna told a media conference in New Delhi.

Earlier India said that it plans to set up three relief centres on quake-hit Kashmir's de facto border which will provide medical and other assistance to people from Pakistan's zone of the disputed region.

The Indian government has approached Islamabad with the proposal and is awaiting a response, foreign affairs spokesman Navtej Sarna told a media conference here.