PM will visit Pakistan after general polls: Kasuri

Lahore, Aug 13: Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri has said that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh would visit the country after its general elections, which is likely later this year.

Kasuri expressed the hope that there would be progress on the longstanding Kashmir dispute during Manmohan Singh's visit, the Daily Times quoted an ARY TV report, as saying.

Addressing a public meeting, Kasuri admitted that a state of emergency could not be declared in Pakistan after US Foreign Secretary Condoleezza Rice telephoned President Pervez Musharraf.

However, he added that no one could dare to dictate Islamabad because Pakistan is a sovereign country. "Pakistan is a nuclear power and a sovereign nation, and nobody can dictate to us, nor we will accept dictation," he said.

He went on to say that Pakistan would further develop ties with the US on an equal basis.

He said: "Owing to its successful foreign policy, Islamabad has cordial relations with all superpowers, including China, Saudi Arabia and European Union on an equal basis."

ANI
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