ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said on Monday that the early resumption of dialogue between Pakistan and India is imperative to address issues that have for long been the reason for tensions between the two countries. Gilani made the comments while talking to a Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs delegation – which was headed by Pugwash Conference Secretary General Prof Paolo Cotta-Ramsunio – at Prime Minister’s House. The prime minister also urged the international community to facilitate Pakistan in efforts to “win the hearts and minds of internally displaced persons (IDPs)”.
He assured the delegation of his governmentÂ’s sincerity in proceeding with the dialogue process with India and maintaining cordial bilateral relations with all its neighbours.
The Pugwash Conference, an NGO involved in track-two diplomacy between Pakistan and India – has planned to organise a series of meetings on Pakistan’s role against terrorism, Pak-Afghan relations, US economic assistance and Pakistan’s vision of regional relations in South Asia. Gilani welcomed the initiatives taken by the NGO, and said they would greatly help in creating better understanding and remove misperceptions about Pakistan in the West.
He also briefed the visitors on the ongoing military operation, the relief efforts and the ramifications of the situation on the economy.
The prime minister again called on the US to write off PakistanÂ’s debt, expedite the passage of the Kerry-Lugar and reconstruction opportunity zones bills.