ISLAMABAD, Aug 3: Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali has hinted at chances of meeting his Indian counterpart before the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) summit.

Responding to questions from people from across the world at a BBC programme on Sunday, he said there were chances of meeting Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee even before the start of Saarc summit.

The Saarc summit is scheduled for January 2004.

When asked about details and that whether the talks would be held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, he said the meeting could be held whenever Mr Vajpayee wishes. “We have never turned down an offer for talks.”

About the pace of normality between the two countries, he said it was slow but moving ahead. He said the two countries needed to be more proactive in the areas of sports, trade, economy, grant of visas and the people-to-people contacts.

He said there were moves by both the countries for direct as well as indirect contacts.

About the chances of any war between the two countries, Mr Jamali said: “The era of wars is over.” He said even if the two countries had some reservations, they would have to talk to each other openly.

Mr Jamali said he had issued directives for the restoration of air links between Pakistan and India. “Pakistan took the initiative and invited India for talks on Aug 27. We will have the air links soon.”

He did not rule out chances of expansion of the Lahore-New Delhi bus service to Kashmir. He repeated Pakistan’s position that it was willing to talk with India at any level, any place and any time.

The prime minister said Kashmir remained to be the core issue and had to be settled for lasting regional peace.

Replying to a question he said Pakistan would also show flexibility but since the major part of Kashmir was occupied by India, it would have to give more concessions. Mr Jamali said he had always talked of Kashmir as a whole and there was a dire need to include the Kashmiris in the process.

The prime minister said that he had already invited Mr Vajpayee to Pakistan and that even if the Indian premier could not come owing to some reservations, he was willing to travel to India.

He also refuted the Indian allegations about terrorism and infiltration into the held Kashmir.

Pakistan, he said, itself was a victim of terrorism and was at the forefront in joining the international community against terrorism.

When asked whether he had the support of the political parties on the issue of improving ties with India, the prime minister said he had taken the opposition parties and parliament into confidence.—APP