KATHMANDU, Dec 31: Foreign Minister Abdul Sattar said here on Monday that Pakistan was opposed to war and would never initiate any military action across the border or the Line of Control in Kashmir.

“Let us hope that the efforts which are made in favour of restraint, responsibility and peace will succeed and we come out of the present difficult situation,” he stated.

Talking to newsmen on arrival here from Karachi to participate in the ministerial meeting of the 11th Saarc summit, the foreign minister said the Government of Pakistan had brought a sense of commitment, a sense of responsibility and a sense of restraint “in deeds as well as in words” to defuse the present tense situation.

However, he said, this requires goodwill of both the parties as well as intercession of the world community, countries of the region, other regions, and above all, the Security Council of the UN. “Let us hope that the efforts which are made in favour of restraint, responsibility and peace will succeed and we come out of the present difficult situation,” he added.

“Pakistan will continue to work for this outcome.”

Replying to a question about his meeting with his Indian counterpart Mr Jaswant Singh on the present situation, he said Pakistan was prepared to hold talks ‘anywhere, anytime and at any level’. He said: “If there is an opportunity, I will welcome that opportunity for a meeting.” However, Sattar said he had received no such communication from the government of India so far.—APP