18 October 2004	Monday	03 Ramazan 1425

LAHORE, Oct 17: Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has said that negotiations between Pakistan and India will leave far-reaching effects on the efforts to resolve their differences and establish peace in the region.

Both the countries would have to launch a joint struggle to eliminate poverty and backwardness in the region, he said while talking to former Indian prime minister Inder Kumar Gujral who called on him here on Sunday.

The chief minister said all bilateral issues should be resolved through talks. The time had come to bury the hatchet and lay the foundations of a bright future. The direct people-to-people contact had further brightened the prospects of the official dialogue, he said.

He said efforts should be made to improve the economic condition of both the countries. Lasting peace was necessary to bring their people out of the mire of disease and poverty, he said.

The chief minister said President Musharraf was playing a historic role by seeking a negotiated solution to all regional issues. The exchange of visits by the political leaders and parliamentarians of both the countries was helping them understand each other's issues.

He said cooperation between the two countries was being enhanced for the protection of historic places. Steps were being taken to identify and protect historic places in Lahore, Jhelum and other cities.

Mr Gujral said President Musharraf was moving in the right direction by adopting the path of negotiations for the establishment of peace in the region and resolution of differences between the two countries.

He said the flexibility shown by both the countries for the sake of prosperity of their people was a welcome step. He said Lahore's historic and cultural aspect held an important position in the sub-continent.