Former Pakistani-occupied Kashmir prime minister Sardar Mohammad Abdul Qayyum Khan on Monday said his week long visit to India was a tremendous success and he hoped to return to India another time should the opportunity comes his way.

Speaking to rediff.com on Monday before returning, Sardar said that he would be conveying the message of peace to those wielding the guns and ask them to give up their path of violence.

"I am not going to go and meet them individually but I would issue an appeal to them to shun violence and participate in the dialogue process," he said.

• 'Independent Kashmir is a mental luxury'

About reports that Hizbul Mujahidin's chief Syed Salahudin wants to return home, he said, "I do not know what is the credibility of these reports and in case they are true then he is welcome to join the peace initiative," he added.

How do you feel that you are returning to PoK without being able to meet Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh [Images] and Congress president Sonia Gandhi [Images].

"I do understand their time constraint. But we had no sought appointments with either of the two as reported in the media.

"My visit was a success and I hope to return to India. Otherwise I am not in the habit of visiting places for a stroll or shopping spree," he said with a smile.