RAWALPINDI, Oct 28: Troops will be sent to Iraq only after approval from parliament, Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said on Tuesday.

The country would watch its interests while taking the decision about sending its troops to Iraq, the minister said while speaking at a public meeting at Jhanda Chichi.

He said Pakistan desired to initiate dialogue with India and resolve the Kashmir dispute.

The country was prepared to defend itself against aggression, he said.

About India’s offers to facilitate travelling and improve trade ties, he said it was New Delhi that had snapped the air, rail and road links.

He said trade ties meant little in the absence of a comprehensive dialogue to resolve the contentious issues, including the Kashmir dispute.

Mr Rashid will travel to India via Dubai for a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation ministers’ conference in the second week of November due to travel restrictions.

He said a number of schools, colleges and hospitals would be built in the city.

The minister inaugurated a government degree college for girls, built at a cost of Rs15 million in eight months.

He said furniture, computers and other facilities would be provided to the college soon.

He said the areas around Jhanda Chichi should be separated from the cantonment board and brought under the municipal corporation.—APP