20 January 2005	Thursday	09 Zilhaj 1425

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ISLAMABAD, Jan 19: Prime minister Shaukat Aziz said on Wednesday that Pakistan was engaged in composite dialogue with India in the larger interest of peace in the region but there was a need to move at a fast pace for settlement of all contentious issues between the two countries.

He said Pakistan sincerely desired to resolve issues by initiating dialogue and with India and offering to show flexibility. But, this has to be reciprocal.

Talking to a delegation of Indian industrialists led by the president of the Confederation of Indian Industry, Sunil Kant Munjal, at the Prime Minister's House on Wednesday, Mr Aziz said that both the countries must demonstrate magnanimity, flexibility, sincerity and courage to resolve the issues for the sake of peace in the region and prosperity of their people.

Pakistan, he said, desired peace and was striving for this. He said Pakistan wanted progress in all areas to move in tandem with progress on the core issue of Jammu and Kashmir, which should be resolved in line with the aspirations of the people of the territory.

He said there was need to create the right atmosphere for expanding economic links between the two countries to promote durable relations. He recalled that during his last visit to India, he had suggested the opening of banks and a corridor for a gas pipeline to meet the energy needs of India which, he said, would be beneficial for both the countries.

He expressed the hope that both the countries would take steps for opening the Muzffarabad-Sirinagar bus route as a confidence-building measure. He proposed a role for the Confederation of Indian Industry in reducing the lack of trust between the two countries and enhancing interaction between their private sectors.

Mr Aziz briefed the delegation on economic reforms and deregulation policies of his government. He spoke about tight financial discipline, increased revenue and controlled expenditures.

The members of the delegation praised Pakistan's efforts for peace with India and its economic reforms and deregulation policies. They agreed that both the countries should move forward with courage and demonstrate flexibility to resolve their issues. They said moves for the gas pipeline and opening banks should be pushed forward and business travel between the two countries facilitated.

GERMAN GROUP: Talking to the chief executive officer of the German Metro group of industries, Dr Hans-Joachim Korber, who met him with senior management officials of the group, the prime minister said the climate of investment in Pakistan had never been as conducive as it was now.