Gilani favours continuation of Indo-Pak dialogue

Notwithstanding the Indo-Pak talks descending into acrimony, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani today favoured the continuation of dialogue with India to discuss all outstanding issues between the two countries.

"Pakistan wants the continuation of dialogue with India. (Indian) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has assured me that all issues will be discussed," Gilani told reporters on the sidelines of an official function at Baloki near Lahore.

"We want talks, they (India) too want talks. When talks are held, we will discuss all issues. At this stage, I cannot say anything in the air," he said in response to a question on talks between the Foreign Ministers of the two countries on July 15.

Gilani said his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh had assured him that all issues between the two countries would be discussed, an apparent reference to the meeting between the two in Thimphu on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in April.

Responding to other questions from reporters, Gilani said his government will not hold any dialogue with militants or those who do not give up violence.

He evaded questions on tensions between the government and the Supreme Court, saying he had good relations with the judiciary.

Gilani also ruled out the possibility of mid-term polls due to the possible disqualification of lawmakers who held fake educational degrees.

Bye-elections will be held in all constituencies whose representatives are disqualified for submitting fake degrees along with their nomination papers, he said.

The Pakistan People's Party-led government at the centre is stable and will complete its full term, Gilani said.