M A I N   N E W S

Pak lowers pitch 

Speaking on the sidelines of a function in Lahore, he said, “We want talks, they (India) too want talks. When talks are held, we will discuss all issues. At this stage, I cannot say anything in the air.”

Gilani said Singh had assured him that all issues between the two countries would be discussed, an apparent reference to the meeting between the two in Thimphu on the sidelines of the SAARC summit in April.

In Islamabad, Qureshi, who had yesterday blamed India for lack of progress in the talks, said today that Pakistan is “very serious” about normalising bilateral ties so that the two sides could make a “new beginning of normal relations.”

Qureshi said: “We are serious about normalising our relations with India. I met with my Indian counterpart in Islamabad just day before yesterday. We agreed to embark on a sustained dialogue process.”

“For long, Pakistan and India have been entangled in a relationship of conflict. It is high time our countries engage, with full sincerity of purpose, to resolve all bilateral disputes and make a new beginning of normal relations anchored in sovereign equality and mutual interest,” he said.

Qureshi said normal relations between Pakistan and India will have “far-reaching salutary effects” for South Asia and beyond.

“Pakistan will do its utmost to make this happen,” he said in his opening remarks at a meeting of officials of the Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FODP) forum.

Sharp differences arose during talks between Qureshi and SM Krishna on Thursday over a roadmap and timeframe for future engagements. They engaged in verbal jousting after their talks. — PTI