Sharif says looking forward to meeting Indian PM

As clashes continued along the LoC, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said he was looking forward to meeting his Indian counterpart in New York to turn a "fresh page" in bilateral relations.
"I look forward to our meeting in New York to discuss issues of mutual interest. It is our desire to turn a fresh page in our bilateral relations," Sharif said in a message to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh ahead of India's Independence Day.
"I would like to reiterate that it is in our common interest to work closely to achieve our shared goals of peace and prosperity in the region," he said.

The Pakistani people "aspire to promote friendly, cooperative and good neighbourly relations" between the two countries, Sharif added.
Earlier in the day, India said Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control for the ninth time in four days by targeting 16 forward posts and civilian areas.
Pakistan claimed a civilian was killed in firing by Indian troops in Rawalakot sector of the LoC. This was the second civilian death reported from the Pakistani side.

Bilateral relations soured last week after the killing of five Indian soldiers in an attack on the LoC.
Addressing a joint news conference with UN chief Ban Ki-moon in Islamabad this afternoon, Sharif pledged to respond with "restraint and responsibility" to the situation on the LoC and said more diplomacy is needed to achieve peace.

In a separate message sent to President Pranab Mukherjee, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan is committed to improving relations with India to resolve all outstanding issues peacefully.