But India also needed to grasp the opportunity as "you don't clap with one hand", Musharraf said at a media briefing about the October 8 earthquake that killed 73,000 people in Pakistan, including in its portion of Kashmir.

Since areas of Kashmir on both sides of Line of Control that splits the region had suffered, "I think it is an occasion which should be utilised to reach out for a solution of the Kashmir dispute," he said.

"I only hope that both sides have realised that a permanent, final solution of Kashmir is more possible now because Kashmir has been affected," he said.

India and Pakistan, both nuclear powers, have fought two of their three wars over the Himalayan territory, which they each hold in part but claim in full.

They have opened all five of the crossing points on the Line of Control to allow humanitarian supplies through to people affected by the quake. It is the first time the crossings have been opened in almost 60 years.

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