ISLAMABAD, Dec 9: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, who is scheduled to visit India on Wednesday, called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Monday and held consultations with him.

During his meetings with Indian leaders, Maulana Fazl will explore possibilities of progress in ties between Pakistan and India.

In a statement, JUI-F spokesperson Jan Achakzai said Maulana Fazl and Mr Sharif discussed Pakistan-India ties with particular reference to the Kashmir issue. He said the prime minister apprised the maulana about the talks he held with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh in New York recently.

Mr Sharif agreed with the JUI-F chief’s proposal for making new legislation for curbing sectarianism.

The statement said Mr Sharif and Maulana Fazl were in agreement that talks should be initiated with Taliban. The prime minister informed the maulana that the government was committed to resolving issues through talks.