Pakistan said on December 16 that stoppage of "Indian state terrorism" against innocent Kashmiris is vital for creating a conducive atmosphere for resumption of the dialogue.

Speaking at a press conference, Foreign Office Spokesman Tariq Altaf said, "we believe conducive atmosphere for talks can be created if India stops its state terrorism in held Kashmir."

The spokesman was responding to a question on the reported statement by Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee ruling out talks between Pakistan and India.

"For the dialogue, there has to be a conducive atmosphere," Altaf said, adding that talks could not be resumed unless"both parties are willing and ready to do so."

On the recent food crisis in Afghanistan, Altaf said that Pakistan is very much concerned over the situation in the war- ravaged neighboring country.

Pakistan has announced that it will send 25,000 tons of wheat to Afghanistan, and "we will continue to meet the needs of our Afghan brethren," said the spokesman.

He hoped that other nations would also come forward to help alleviate the sufferings of the Afghan people.

On the civil war in Afghanistan, the spokesman said, Pakistan will continue its efforts to bring about a peaceful settlement based on the formation of a representative broad-based multi- ethnic government.