Pakistan calls for 'composite dialogue' with India

Pakistan on Monday gave a fresh call for resumption of "composite dialogue" with India to tackle all outstanding issues including that of Jammu and Kashmir and "early" implementation of its confidence-building measures (CBMs) for enhanced economic cooperation and people-to-people contacts.

"We should have the composite dialogue to tackle all outstanding issues between the two countries including that of Jammu and Kashmir," Pakistan High Commissioner-designate Aziz Ahmad Khan told reporters after addressing a meeting of India-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Khan, a career diplomat and former Pakistan foreign office spokesman, who arrived here on June 30, told Indian and Pakistani businessmen, "Pakistan believes that a peaceful and secure environment in the region is imperative for the promotion of meaningful economic cooperation and development".

"To achieve this objective, we must move beyond the roll back of unilateral measures and promote an enlightened vision of amity and cooperation in South Asia".

In his first public engagement, Khan, who has to present his credentials to the President, said Pakistan Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali had announced a comprehensive package of confidence building measures which included restoration of road, rail and air links between the two countries.

"We believe that an early implementation of all these CBMs would help in increasing people-to-people contact and increased economic cooperation between the two countries," he said.

Meanwhile, India's new High Commissioner designate to Pakistan, Shivshankar Menon today said he looked forward to his new assignment and stressed that New Delhi would do its best to bring its relations with Islamabad back on track.

"As our Prime Minister (Atal Bihari Vajpayee) said we will make the effort to improve our relationship with Pakistan and bring it back on track," Menon told PTI here at the Beijing International Airport before leaving for New Delhi en route to his new assignment in Pakistan.

Asked about his new assignment in Pakistan, Menon, a seasoned career diplomat said: "it is too early to say. I would like to go there before I say anything about our relationship. certainly, I look forward to it."