'India, Pak should use SAARC summit 'goodwill' to resolve issues'

Islamabad, May 9 (ANI): The 'goodwill' generated between India and Pakistan during the XVIth South Asian Association Summit (SAARC) in Thimpu last month should be utilised by both estranged neighbours to achieve the common objective of regional peace and stability.

The views were expressed during the concluding day of the three-day closed door conference, which was held in New Delhi, involving back channel diplomats from India and Pakistan.

A joint statement issued at the end of the conference hailed the 'positive' talks betweebn Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh with his Pakistan counterpart Yousuf Raza Gilani on the sidelines of the recent SAARC Summit.

The statement noted that "the time has come for both countries to move towards substantive decisions on all outstanding issues".

The Pakistan's delegation included several noted personalities such as former Information and Broadcasting Minister Shireen (Sherry) Rehman, former Army Chief General Jehangir Karamat, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) Information Secretary Ahsan Iqbal and also famous human rights activist IA Rehman, The Daily Times reports. (ANI)