ISLAMABAD, June 6: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has said his government wants good relations with India and a new era of peace in the region.

Talking to veteran Indian journalist, parliamentarian and diplomat Kuldip Nayar at the PM House on Friday, the prime minister said an early, just and peaceful settlement of the Kashmir dispute in keeping with the aspirations of the Kashmiri people would help Pakistan and India to achieve their full potential.

He said that unlike India where democracy had established its roots, Pakistan was in the process of transition from dictatorship to democracy and was progressing well.

Mr Gilani said that restoration of the 1973 Constitution in its original form and supremacy and sovereignty of parliament were top priorities of the government.

He said that the balance of power as envisaged in the 1973 Constitution would be restored and expressed the hope that a two-party system would gradually emerge as was the case before 1999.

He said the PPP rendered immense sacrifices for an independent judiciary and the government was committed to reinstating the deposed judges, and modalities were being worked out with the coalition partners.

The prime minister said that in the past relations with India improved whenever a civilian government was in place in Pakistan.