Islamabad, Aug 11: Welcoming Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's call for "cooperation" to resolve bilateral problems, Pakistan today hoped that India would "move fast" to resume dialogue. "We appreciate Indian Prime Minister's desire for lessening of misperception and mistrust between the two countries," foreign office spokesman Masood Khan told a weekly briefing while commenting on Vajpayee's message to the first-ever peace conference of Indian and Pakistan parliamentarians and journalists here. The tone and tenor of Vajpayee's message was appreciable, the spokesman said and expressed the hope that India would move fast to resume dialogue with Pakistan. He also said there should be a calendar for the dialogue. To a question about the conference, the spokesman said interaction between parliamentarians and journalists is good and would help create environment for a structured and meaningful dialogue between the two countries.
However, he said such track to diplomacy can't be a substitute for negotiations at the official level and emphasised the need for the resumption of contacts between the two countries at the highest level.
"Delegates from India can see for themselves Pakistan's keenness for peace and its eagerness to engage New Delhi for sorting out all problems," Khan said adding the people of Pakistan want resolution of all differences and creation of lasting peace and stability in the region.
Bureau Report