Pakistan's Prime Minister, Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali, describes Kashmir as the "lifeline" of his country on this week's edition of Question Time Pakistan on BBC World. The show airs tonight at 9:30 pm.

In his first major appearance on any international television channel Jamali says: "I am a person who does not compromise on principles. Issues we can compromise on. The major principle between India and Pakistan is Kashmir. That is the principle. On principle, you cannot compromise. On issues, you can.

"As far as I am concerned, Kashmir is the lifeline. It's not just a political issue; it's an economic issue too. It's the lifeline as far as Pakistan is concerned and we have to keep that right in front of us and then decide."

Jamali expresses his wish to enhance relations with India. "We have to improve. Why should I have a hostile neighbour? A country that is stronger than us, a country that is bigger than us. These are the facts and we have to admit that."

Asked how he felt about the President's powers to dismiss an elected government in Pakistan he says,"The previous Presidents - did they ask anyone before dismissing governments? They dismissed whenever they felt like it. But I feel confident. Why should Musharraf dismiss the government if we remain within our limits?"