Talks, not war, only way forward for Pak, India to resolve outstanding issues: Gilani

Islamabad, Mar 24(ANI): Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has said that his government would like to continue to work with the Indian Government to resolve all outstanding issues in a peaceful manner, as talks, not wars, are the only way forward for both nations.

"Wars are not [a] solution, talks are the only way forward between Pakistan and India", the Dawn quoted Gilani, as saying while talking to an Indian peace delegation led by veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar at the PM House in Islamabad.

Gilani appreciated the contribution of the civil society of both countries towards promoting the ideas of peace, friendship and development in the region, particularly between India and Pakistan.

"I want to benefit from the wisdom of the civil society and peace activists in pursuing cordial neighbourly ties with India," he added.

Gilani stated that the first priority of his government was the development and well being of the people of Pakistan, for which peace and stability in the country were critical.

He recalled his meetings with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in Sharm El Sheikh in 2009 and in Thimphu in April last year, and said that he fully believed in the sincerity of the Indian prime minister for the resolution of all disputes between the two countries through the peace process.

He also urged the politicians and the media of both sides to play a positive role in taking the peace process forward.

Gilani expressed his satisfaction on the resumption of dialogue between the two countries by noting that the Interior Secretaries of the two countries are scheduled to meet in New Delhi next week to take up terrorism, drug trafficking and humanitarian issues.

He emphasised on the need for increased people-to-people contacts, exchange of parliamentary delegations and un-interrupted dialogue process to focus on contentious issues and also on the promotion of trade, intelligence sharing, sports and cultural cooperation.

The Indian peace delegation agreed with Gilani that the misperceptions on both sides need to be addressed through increased people-to-people contacts and parliamentary exchanges. (ANI)