Gilani seeks early resumption of Indo-Pak talks

As Prime Minister Manmohan Singh meets President Asif Ali Zardari in Russia, premier Yousuf Raza Gilani has sought early resumption of the stalled dialogue process between India and Pakistan to address long-standing issues like Kashmir.     

Gilani said the early resumption of the composite dialogue between Pakistan and India is "imperative to address the long-standing issues resulting in tension between the two countries i.e. Kashmir dispute as well as the water dispute".     

He was speaking to a delegation led by Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs secretary general Paolo Cotta-Ramsunio that called on him yesterday.     

Gilani assured the delegation of his "government's sincerity in proceeding with the dialogue process and for maintaining cordial bilateral relations with all its neighbours including India".     

Zardari and Singh met today on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Russia.     

Gilani also said the international community should fulfil its pledges of assistance to Pakistan in its efforts to assist the people displaced by the military operations against the Taliban in Swat and other areas of Malakand division.

The displaced people need "immediate help at this critical juncture when Pakistan is fighting the war against militancy and terrorism till its complete elimination from its territory," the Pakistani Prime Minister said.     

Pugwash Conference is involved in Track-II diplomacy between Pakistan and India and plans to organise a series of meetings on Pakistan's role against terrorism, Pakistan-Afghanistan relations, US economic aid and Pakistan's vision of regional relations in South Asia.     

Gilani welcomed this initiative and said it would help in creating a better understanding and remove misperceptions about Pakistan in the West.