ISLAMABAD, May 29: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali on Saturday called his Indian counterpart Dr Manmohan Singh and reiterated Pakistan's resolve to continue efforts to bring about durable peace between the two countries.

Mr Jamali congratulated Dr Singh on assumption of office and said Pakistan was heartened by his positive statement reflecting his desire to improve bilateral relations.

He said Pakistan was looking forward to an early resumption of the foreign secretary-level meeting so that the dialogue process could move forward, according to the press secretary to the prime minister, Ashfaq Gondal.

During the 12-minute conversation, Mr Jamali said Pakistan believed that peace and tension-free relations were important for the prosperity and progress of the two countries.

"The leadership of both the countries will have to play a vital role in overcoming hurdles that may come during the process," Mr Jamali said, adding that peace was the need and the desire of people.

Referring to economic reforms initiated by Dr Singh in the early 1990s, Mr Jamali hoped that India would progress further under his leadership in the years to come.

The Indian prime minister said his government would move forward with a positive approach for improvement of relations, according to a handout.

"We should continue to move forward with confidence-building measures as this would facilitate and pave the way for discussions on Kashmir," said Dr Singh.

He appreciated Pakistan's unilateral decision of ceasefire along the Line of Control which had augured well and said: "We should continue this" as it helped in creating an atmosphere for purposeful dialogue.