November 30, 2003	Sunday	Shawwal 5, 1424

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QUETTA, Nov 29: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Jamali on Saturday said that Indian premier Atal Behari Vajpayee’s response to Pakistan’s offer for bilateral talks was very encouraging.

Talking to newsmen at Dera Murad Jamali, he hoped for more positive steps. “More positive steps are expected from Indian side in response to Pakistan’s offer for peace talks.”

“Ceasefire on both sides of the Line of Control is our big success,” he said in reply to a question and added that these developments would help resolve the issues between Indian and Pakistan.

He said Mr Vajpayee was a seasoned and veteran politician who had responded “very positively” to the encouraging steps taken by Pakistan for peace and creating an atmosphere conducive to talks.

“I am hopeful that Mr Vajpayee would attend the Saarc summit in Islamabad,” Mr Jamali said and added that this would help improve bilateral relations.

In reply to a question about the LFO, Mr Jamali said negotiations with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal were going on the issue.

Referring to the opposition’s decision for launching a movement against the government, he said: “I am sure that the MMA leadership wants to cooperate with the government for creating a better political atmosphere in the country”. He expressed the hope that the LFO issue would be resolved soon.

About sending troops to Iraq, the premier said Iraq was an international issue and his government would take any decision in this regard after taking parliament and the nation into confidence. However, he said, a true representative government should be established in Iraq in which local representation must be ensured.

He said the government was taking all steps for the welfare of people and had already given some relief to them in electricity rates. “We are taking more steps for further reduction in electricity tariff,” he added.

PPI adds: Meanwhile, in an interview with a TV channel, Mr Jamali underlined the need for resolving the Kashmir dispute in accordance with the UN resolutions and with the active participation of Kashmiris.

He said a resumption of meaningful and result-oriented dialogue between the two countries was essential for peace and stability in the region.

He said Pakistan always conveyed to India that the resolution of basic problems was in the interest of the people of the region as well as laying foundation for a strong relationship.

Answering a question, he said the country had been passing through a transitory phase and needed time to strengthen the democratic system.

He hoped that the working relationship would be established with the opposition soon and added that people would hear good news in the new parliamentary year.

SPORTS ORGANIZATIONS: Talking to a delegation of sports organizations, Mr Jamali said the federal government was paying special attention to the promotion of sports in the country.

He said district governments had been directed to play their role in the development and promotion of sports and added that the youth could be protected from social evils by providing sports activities in the country.