DHAKA, July 29: President Gen Pervez Musharraf on Monday evening stressed the need for “overcoming of the sorrow and the bitterness of our past.”

Delivering his banquet address, he said: “Let us move forward to build a bright future for our two nations on the basis of sovereign equality and mutually-beneficial cooperation.”

“We were a family town faced by a whirlwind of unfortunate events,” he stated.

“It takes time for truth and wisdom to reassert their sway. It takes time for peace, real peace and reconciliation to return,” he said, adding: “That time, I believe, has come.”

The banquet was hosted in his honour by his Bangladeshi counterpart Jamiruddin Sirkar. Prime Minister Khaleda Zia of Bangladesh and her cabinet members, elected public representatives and elite were also present, besides members of the Pakistan delegation.

President Sirkar expressed his satisfaction that there has been a reduction of tension between Pakistan and India.

“We hope that there will be further de-escalation and the two countries will resolve their disputes through effective negotiations.”

“At this critical juncture, it is imperative that we cooperate closely in enhancing investment, promoting trade and bolstering our economy so that we can be together in confronting these challenges, “ he said.—APP