LAHORE, Oct 30: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has said the confidence-building measures (CBMs) announced by Pakistan and India were helping normalize relations between the two countries.

Talking to reporters here on Thursday, he said Kashmir was the real issue between the two neighbours and Pakistan was “heading for its solution”. He said the world community was cooperating with Pakistan on the Kashmir issue with some countries, including the US, trying to find a solution to the dispute.

He said India also wanted to hold dialogue despite the fact that it had shown double standards on some occasions. He said war was neither in the interest of Pakistan nor India.

Mr Jamali said Chaudhry Shujaat Husain would hold “meaningful dialogue” with the opposition on his return from Germany. He also hoped that the talks would be result-oriented.

Answering a question about the arrest and high treason case registered against Makhdoom Javed Hashmi, he said: “If he were a real Muslim Leaguer, he would not have done so” which ended up in his arrest.

Answering another question, he said parliamentarians’ salaries had been increased after a long time and the government would also announce a relief package for the people.

PPI ADDS:Mr Jamali empathetically said that dialogue had become imminent for long-lasting peace in the region.

He welcomed India’s gesture towards normalization of relations with Pakistan. “It’s a big improvement and Islamabad, on its part, will not disappoint New Delhi and respond positively,” he said.

Replying to a question, the prime minister said the government did not abandon dialogue with the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. “The talks will resume upon Chaudhry Shujaat’s return home,” he said.

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