War not the solution to Indo-Pak problems: Gilani

Islamabad, Jun 20: Ahead of Indo-Pak Foreign Secretary level talks, Pakistan has said that it wants to resolve all outstanding issues with India, including Kashmir, through dialogue as war is not the solution to any problem.

"We do not want to resolve any problems through war. The solution of all problems is dialogue and we believe in dialogue," Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said yesterday while addressing a public meeting at Shakargarh in Punjab province.

"I've met Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh several times and I told him we should sit at the table and discuss all problems and core issues, including Kashmir. I convinced him to resume the dialogue (with Pakistan)," he said.

Pakistan wants good relations with all its neighbours and all outstanding issues can be resolved through talks, Gilani said.

"Pakistan wants a permanent and lasting solution to the Kashmir issue through dialogue and negotiations," he said.

Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao will visit Islamabad from June 23-24 to hold talks with her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir.

Islamabad will convince the international community that the Kashmir issue should be resolved according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris, Gilani said.

He expressed hope that the world community will help Kashmiris get their rights. Referring to upcoming elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, Gilani claimed polls in Jammu and Kashmir were boycotted but all parties participate in polls in PoK.

The forthcoming elections for the PoK legislative assembly will be fair, free and transparent to make them credible for the international community, he said.

"I assure you that the elections will be fair, free and impartial so the world will know that Pakistan is a responsible nuclear power and everything is done here on merit and in a transparent way," he said.

PTI