'Normalisation of ties between India-Pakistan urgently needed'

The Pakistani prime minister's key advisor, Sartaj Aziz, has said normalisation of Indo-Pakistan relations is urgently needed to reduce tensions on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It is premature to predict the outcome of foreign secretary level talks between Pakistan and India scheduled for March 3, but chances of a decision to resume a composite dialogue are likely either in the upcoming or the follow-up meetings," Dawn Monday quoted Aziz as saying.

"All outstanding issues, including the Kashmir dispute, had been part of agenda for talks with India," Sartaj Aziz, the advisor on foreign affairs and national security, said Sunday.

About the recent eight percent increase in India's defence allocation, Nawaz Sharif's adviser said: "Pakistan had never been involved in an arms race", adding: "Pakistan would never compromise on the availability of conventional weapons for its armed forces."

"Harmony between the political and military leadership is essential for national security which is an integral part of country's foreign policy," said Aziz answering a question on whether the army chief was controlling foreign policy.

It is not possible to implement the priorities on security issues without coordination with the armed forces, he added.