Islamabad: Claiming that there was no
communication gap between India and Pakistan over Kashmir and
other issues, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Tuesday said
that the bilateral dialogue process should not be held hostage
to the Mumbai incident.
"Impression should be dispelled that there is lack of
communication (between Pakistan and India)," Gilani said, but
acknowledged there was a "lack of trust" between the two
nations.
Gilani made the remarks while interacting with media
in the Omani capital of Muscat. The premier is currently on an
official visit to Oman to boost trade and economic ties.
Pakistan desires the resumption of the dialogue
process with India to resolve all outstanding issues, Gilani
said. The peace process should not be held hostage to the 2008
Mumbai incident, he said.
In this regard, Gilani mentioned his talks with his
Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh and said he had told the
Indian premier that the Mumbai incident "should not be allowed
to hold the dialogue process down".
Gilani said the resolution of the Kashmir issue is
"vital for regional stability" and Pakistan wishes to discuss
"all core issues including Kashmir".
Asked about the presence of terrorist groups along
the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Gilani said both Islamabad
and Kabul realise they were "victims of a common enemy".
He added: "We should combat terrorism with a joint
strategy.
The NATO forces and the ISAF are working in
consultation with Pakistan and Afghanistan to jointly combat
terrorism.
Responding to another query about terrorism and
extremism, Gilani said his government is following a "3D
policy of dialogue, development and deterrence" and moving in
the right direction to curb the menace.
Terrorists were hitting soft targets and had lost
their strongholds, he said.
Gilani said his visit to Oman will generate momentum
to reinvigorate bilateral relations and further expand
economic and trade cooperation.
He said he had discussed various avenues for economic
cooperation and the fight against terrorism during his meeting
with Omani leaders.
He said his interaction with the Minister of
External Liaison provided an opportunity for agreement on
multi-dimensional cooperation in defence and maritime sectors.
The two sides also agreed to work on the feasibility
of running a ferry service between Gwadar and Muscat.
PTI
