LAHORE, Dec 10: "Let the prejudices go by building trust and faith" is the message from Bollywood film star Amir Khan who arrived here on Friday evening.

"Millions of people across the divide are hoping for the best," he told a news conference at a local hotel.

Amir is visiting Pakistan on the invitation of Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre (SKMCH&RC) chairman Imran Khan to raise funds for the hospital in Lahore and construction of another cancer hospital in Karachi.

He will attend two fund-raiser dinners at Lahore and Karachi (on Saturday and Sunday) and a three-hour-long telethon at a private TV channel to raise funds. When a reporter sought his views on the Kashmir issue, Imran Khan got hold of the mike and said the nuclear stand-off between the two countries had demonstrated that war could never resolve this issue.

He said people had decided that they could not live with their neighbours in a state of tension. "Now it is the duty of political leaders to resolve the issue," he said.

Answering a question, Amir Khan said both the countries could significantly move ahead in developing cordial relations through the media. Saying that arts, sports and culture had no boundaries, Amir believed that these mediums could bring people closer.

He said that personally he would not act in any movie which would create a hatred against any country. However, he said, producers exploited basic human emotions to make easy money.

"I am glad that such movies are no more in demand and producers and directors are now compelled to make movies that promote love and peace among both the neighbours."

Answering another question, Mr Khan said that he would love to perform in a Pakistani movie if the theme and story were strong and the project had the consent of Pakistani and Indian governments.

He said people here in Pakistan loved to watch Hindi movies, while the Indians like Pakistani TV serials, comedy theatre and music. Answering a question, he said that he was never discriminated against by the Hindu lobby or the Press.

He said that he had started avoiding award ceremonies as his early experience at such functions was not good. "As I lost the value of awards, I opted not to attend such gatherings," he said.

Amir Khan said he was more than happy to come to Pakistan when an invitation came from legendary Imran Khan. "The SKMCH&RC, which was created with the personal efforts of Imran Khan, has now become a focus of struggle for all the people of Pakistan." Amir told newsmen that he had read Quran twice and had hired a tutor to learn the Urdu script. "The first Urdu lesson will begin in Mumbai on Dec 19."