Development in India, Pak hinges on peace in South Asia: Aziz

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Lahore, June 16 (UNI) Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said that India and Pakistan have to settle their bilateral disputes, including Kashmir through dialogue, as the development of both countries hinges on peace in South Asia.

With peace and harmony prevailing, the two countries can exploit the capabilities of their people, Mr Aziz said while addressing a seminar on ''Muslim-Sikh Relations in Historical Perspective,'' organised by the Pakistan Shiromani Sikh Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (PSGPC).

The seminar was organised by the PSGPC, a newly created body in Pakistan to control the Sikh shrines in the country, to commemorate the 400th martyrdom of fifth Sikh guru Arjun Dev who was executed in Lahore.

Underlining the urgency of good neighbourly relations between the two countries, Mr Aziz said that peace in South Asia, ''to be established by India-Pakistan ties,'' was linked to the world peace.

He reiterated that Pakistan was making sincere efforts to resolve all problems confronted by both countries through ''talks and an open mind''.

Already, some steps had been taken by the two countries in this regard, he said, adding that he hoped that India would continue to respond positively to the peace intiatives.

India and Pakistan should address the mutual problerms by evolving strategies to resolve all issues through mutual understanding, he said.

The Prime Minister said air, rail and land routes between the two countries had been thrown open at several points to facilitate travel by people of both sides and more points could be opened.

Referring to the Sikhs' religious affairs, Mr Aziz said there was need to promote inter-faith, inter-civilisational and inter-cultural haromony and understanding for durable peace. Also, as the world shrinks, it necessitates better understanding among people of different ethnic and religo-social segments, he added.

''The world needs love, brotherhood, tolerance and consultations to promote peace without which no nation, country, people can develop according to modern needs,'' the Prime Minister said.

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